On Monday night, 2/25/08, City Council unanimously agreed to end the $400,000 recycling subsidy for 10,000 curbside recyclers. However, it was within an understanding and belief in SWACO (Ron Hills’ leadership) to come through with a solid recycling plan. Councilwoman O’Shaughnessy writes: “I’ve received a couple e-mails objecting to the loss of curbside subsidy, and I certainly understand. We all have a lot of faith in Ron Mills to get us some solid recommendations for a positive future. At the very least we should be meeting national averages, don’t you think? I also believe that if there’s a structural change in our tax/fee policies people will be compelled to recycle. That will be a spirited discussion, don’t you think?”I’ve heard neighbors say, “Columbus should do as others do, make recycling free.” Recycling is not free. Recycling in other cities and even other surrounding Columbus neighborhoods is not free. The pay-as-you-throw program is where citizens pay for garbage disposal and not for recycling. BUT the fee for garbage disposal pays for the recycling. Though it is true that some cities subsidize some recycling programs by a small amount, the most successful recycling programs, Portland to name one, have systems that pay their own way. I recall that Upper Arlington has an approximate 40% recycling rate–they have a pay-as-you-throw program.

The first work day of the season is March 8, 2008. We’ll pick up litter on Cooke Road from 9 – 11 AM. Meet at the metal bannister at the end of Overbrook Drive off of Indianola. The bannister is on Cooke Road. Officer Chris Riley will slow traffic while we work.

Here are some notes I took at the City Council meeting when SWACO Director Mills presented: 

Columbus has one of the largest landfills in the country. 3, 500 tons of trash goes into it everyday.

On average, 35% of US citizens recycle compared to Columbus’ 12%. The Clintonville neighborhood is one of largest participants.

SWACO is currently studying the trash and recycling options for Columbus and all the communities of Franklin County. This study will determine the carbon footprint of current and potential methods of trash hauling and recycling locally as well as their financial impact

Around 60% of what is sent to SWACO’s Franklin County landfill is from businesses. Much of it is recyclable paper and cardboard. SWACO has begun a new initiative to work with large categories of businesses in hopes of grouping them together to take advantage of group pricing for trash hauling and recycling.

The Columbus landfill has 25 years left. Then we need a new landfill. The average time it takes to plan, design, and put systems in place for a new landfill averages 10 years. 

If you haven’t signed up for curbside and like the convenience, call Rumpke at 740-474-9790 or 800-828-8171. The cost is $8.25/month. Or choose drop off recycling.  

The real success of a recycling program depends on the citizens. 

Jim Roberts from Watershed Organic Lawn Care will mow the grass around the rain garden. He is also available to help property owners install rain gardens on their properties.Jim writes:    As far as our installation of rain gardens go it’s pretty open.  I’ve worked on putting together a formula for a price per square foot but, it’s limiting and may not meet everybodies needs.  Amy Dutt and I are going to work on three to four stock designs this summer which should help in the future. What I do currently is treat each project seperately, addressing each customers needs individually.  This might mean, for example, doing only the excavation of the rain garden and not the purchasing and installation of plants.  If you know of anybody who has a basic design in the head and just needs to flesh it out a little before installing the garden I’d certainly be able to help with this.                                                                                                             Jim Robert’s contact information: 774-0532.        Email: Jim@watershedorganic.com

The Adena Brook Community Team unanimously agreed to give Graham School $500 for their rain garden. Their rain garden will be installed in the spring, 2008.

Thanks to Tina Mohn, Property Rights Manager, Columbus Recreation and Parks. Within 24 hours of a call to report the Overbrook Drive wire fence was unfurled, Tina had it repaired. It looks like the wire was cut and a section removed. Officer Riley is investigating to see if the damaged fence is related to the cutting and removing of trees in that area. 

1. Pick up litter and remove plants invasive to Adena Brook Ravine from Overbrook Ravine Park. Inspire neighbors to remove invasive plants to Adena Brook from their properties.

2. Establish a Rain Garden Maintenance Team.

3. Plant more native trees in the neighborhood. Inspire neighbors to plant one native tree this year. Keep track of the number planted.

4. Share information about ways to add to the ravine conservation in their own backyard.

5. Tell others about the work of Adena Brook Community volunteers as a way to broaden collaborations and inspire others to volunteer in their communities.

6. Help neighbors install rain gardens on their properties.

7. Keep Storm Drains clear of litter, debris, leaves, and snow accumulation.

8. Maintain nesting houses. Add a wood duck nesting house and 2 small bird nesting houses to our project. That brings the total adopted houses to 60.

9. Improve the Adena Brook Community website and direct neighbors and others to use it to seek information relative to Adena Brook.

10. Maintain communication with City staff to learn about, inform neighbors of CIPs in the Adena Brook watershed.

11. Enjoy a Celebration Concert at the McCain home this summer to raise funds to support the work of Adena Brook Community.

Toni Stahl, National Wildlife Federation representative writes:

If you find that robins have decided your yard is home, there are less berries due to the warm then cold snaps last spring.  Their beaks are soft so they cannot eat seeds, and you can help them by chopping up dried fruits, especially raisins or currants, and providing frost-free water until the ground softens enough that they can eat worms.

Inexpensive native plant and fish sale from Franklin Soil and Water Conservation:  http://franklinswcd.org/images/stories/fs%20winter%202008.pdf

Photos:  http://www.franklinswcd.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=27&Itemid=78 <http://www.franklinswcd.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=27&Itemid=78>

Last day to order is March 7, pick-up is Fri, 4/11 7am -6 pm and Sat, 4/12 8am-noon

FIRST 2008 SECOND SATURDAY CLEAN UP –  JOIN US! 

Mark your calendar for March 8, from 9 – 11 AM. Help pick up litter on Cooke Road from Indianola to High Street. Meet at the bannister at the end of Overbrook off Indianola right on Cooke Road. Bags and gloves will be provided along with grabbers for the hard to get areas. It’s the same place we met last year. Look for the Adena Brook Community sign. Ann Florentine is coordinating this clean up. Officer Chris Riley will be there to slow traffic. Many hands make this task easy!