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.