Page 10 - TN Public Works March-April 2014 Vol. 31 No. 7
P. 10
by Jan Compton
Johnson City – Curbside for 25 Years
Curbside recycling programs have ronmental integrity of the community and visitors alike. Additionally, com-
experienced continual growth in many throughout the years,” said Pindzola. mercial and school programs are major
of Tennessee’s towns and cities, but one contributors for collection of recyclables.
city started it all 25 years ago. Johnson The Early Days The city provides over 380 businesses with
City was the first in Tennessee to initi- The early collection vehicle was a modi- recycling containers for complimentary
ate curbside recycling. While some cities fied, red International model truck with collection of office paper. Over 250 cus-
are working to establish or grow their trailer attachment. Although it was altered tomers also collect and recycle an average
recycling programs, Johnson City is to be as efficient as possible for moving of 187 tons of cardboard each month.
celebrating this significant anniversary the bins on and off the trailer, it still re- Pindzola says, “Another key to our suc-
and pursing other efforts to become a quired workers to physically lift the bins. cessful program has been the establishment
more sustainable city. Leaders are not Currently, the convenient single-stream of dependable, long-term relationships
only prioritizing natural resources; they program is serviced with six employees in with buyers. These are not always easy to
are actually rediscovering buried ones three trucks covering 42 square miles each find and maintain, but they can make the
while riding the wave of the energy that is week. Customers are provided 18-gal- difference when challenges arise.”
embracing downtown redevelopment. lon bins free of charge for easy storage The Tennessee Recycling Coalition,
Johnson City citizens sparked the initial and collection, which helps contribute to which also celebrated 25 years of service in
recycling project in early 1987 when their an impressive approximately 62 percent 2014, honored the city of Johnson City for
interest resulted in a general survey being voluntary residential participation. their dedication to recycling with a silver
conducted by the city. As Johnson City Longevity of the program is also depen- ribbon award. Presented to Pindzola at the
Public Works Director Phil Pindzola dent on knowledgeable, dedicated leaders annual conference held in Franklin, the
recalled, “The survey resulted in roughly who are able to withstand the fluctuation award recognizes significant achievements
80 percent of residents being in favor of a of markets and challenging budgets for in promoting waste reduction, conserving
recycling program.” the duration. Serving in his current role resources, and engaging citizens.
Since the survey was segregated by for 28 years and with the city for 35 years,
neighborhood, leaders were able to stra- Pindzola brings the leadership and experi- The Infamous Garbage Barge
tegically select two locations for a pilot ence that has been vital to the program’s The Tennessee Recycling Coalition and
project. Following the successful pilot success. Johnson City are celebrating their anniver-
project, the Johnson City Commission The program has always had a vision saries together this year with the infamous
passed a $.02 tax increase resulting in ap- to capture the most material possible. “Garbage Barge.” The 3,000-ton load of
proximately $120,000 annually to provide From continually expanding the types garbage was being shipped from New York
recycling services for all city residents of materials collected to providing ad- to North Carolina. The five-month journey
beginning in February1989. ditional participation opportunities, the was highly watched and publicized, draw-
“Broad-based support stands the test of city’s efforts have resulted in a total collec- ing attention to the fact that trash doesn’t
time because government programs are tion of more than 203 million pounds of just go away; it has to go somewhere.
a reflection of the people. The citizens of recyclables to date. Five recycling drop-off Johnson City was recognized in 2008
Johnson City have shown their priority locations positioned at major city arteries with TML’s inaugural Green City Leader-
for stewardship to enhance the envi- provide increased accessibility to residents ship Award. The “Green City” designation
Above left: founders Park will offer an oasis of green space and activities in Johnson City’s downtown area. Above right: A bridge was built over the newly
uncovered Brush Creek for easy access to the park. (Photos provided by Lee Talbert/Johnson City Press)
10 TPW March/April 2014
Johnson City – Curbside for 25 Years
Curbside recycling programs have ronmental integrity of the community and visitors alike. Additionally, com-
experienced continual growth in many throughout the years,” said Pindzola. mercial and school programs are major
of Tennessee’s towns and cities, but one contributors for collection of recyclables.
city started it all 25 years ago. Johnson The Early Days The city provides over 380 businesses with
City was the first in Tennessee to initi- The early collection vehicle was a modi- recycling containers for complimentary
ate curbside recycling. While some cities fied, red International model truck with collection of office paper. Over 250 cus-
are working to establish or grow their trailer attachment. Although it was altered tomers also collect and recycle an average
recycling programs, Johnson City is to be as efficient as possible for moving of 187 tons of cardboard each month.
celebrating this significant anniversary the bins on and off the trailer, it still re- Pindzola says, “Another key to our suc-
and pursing other efforts to become a quired workers to physically lift the bins. cessful program has been the establishment
more sustainable city. Leaders are not Currently, the convenient single-stream of dependable, long-term relationships
only prioritizing natural resources; they program is serviced with six employees in with buyers. These are not always easy to
are actually rediscovering buried ones three trucks covering 42 square miles each find and maintain, but they can make the
while riding the wave of the energy that is week. Customers are provided 18-gal- difference when challenges arise.”
embracing downtown redevelopment. lon bins free of charge for easy storage The Tennessee Recycling Coalition,
Johnson City citizens sparked the initial and collection, which helps contribute to which also celebrated 25 years of service in
recycling project in early 1987 when their an impressive approximately 62 percent 2014, honored the city of Johnson City for
interest resulted in a general survey being voluntary residential participation. their dedication to recycling with a silver
conducted by the city. As Johnson City Longevity of the program is also depen- ribbon award. Presented to Pindzola at the
Public Works Director Phil Pindzola dent on knowledgeable, dedicated leaders annual conference held in Franklin, the
recalled, “The survey resulted in roughly who are able to withstand the fluctuation award recognizes significant achievements
80 percent of residents being in favor of a of markets and challenging budgets for in promoting waste reduction, conserving
recycling program.” the duration. Serving in his current role resources, and engaging citizens.
Since the survey was segregated by for 28 years and with the city for 35 years,
neighborhood, leaders were able to stra- Pindzola brings the leadership and experi- The Infamous Garbage Barge
tegically select two locations for a pilot ence that has been vital to the program’s The Tennessee Recycling Coalition and
project. Following the successful pilot success. Johnson City are celebrating their anniver-
project, the Johnson City Commission The program has always had a vision saries together this year with the infamous
passed a $.02 tax increase resulting in ap- to capture the most material possible. “Garbage Barge.” The 3,000-ton load of
proximately $120,000 annually to provide From continually expanding the types garbage was being shipped from New York
recycling services for all city residents of materials collected to providing ad- to North Carolina. The five-month journey
beginning in February1989. ditional participation opportunities, the was highly watched and publicized, draw-
“Broad-based support stands the test of city’s efforts have resulted in a total collec- ing attention to the fact that trash doesn’t
time because government programs are tion of more than 203 million pounds of just go away; it has to go somewhere.
a reflection of the people. The citizens of recyclables to date. Five recycling drop-off Johnson City was recognized in 2008
Johnson City have shown their priority locations positioned at major city arteries with TML’s inaugural Green City Leader-
for stewardship to enhance the envi- provide increased accessibility to residents ship Award. The “Green City” designation
Above left: founders Park will offer an oasis of green space and activities in Johnson City’s downtown area. Above right: A bridge was built over the newly
uncovered Brush Creek for easy access to the park. (Photos provided by Lee Talbert/Johnson City Press)
10 TPW March/April 2014
