Residential curbside recycling service will resume in Chattanooga next month, according to a news release from the Chattanooga Department of Public Works.
After a suspension of the service due to a shortage of truck operators, enough qualified drivers have been hired to resume pickups on Nov. 1.
According to Mayor Tim Kelly, the driver shortage was one of many potential fallouts from low pay for public works and other city employees.
Kelly included $30 million in pay increases for city employees in his first proposed budget, which was approved by the city council this week. The increase is funded by an increase in property tax revenues.
The proposed budget included a more than 40% increase for collection drivers. Officials are also trying to find ways to improve the city's process, including working with entrepreneurs for innovative solutions.
During the pause in pickups, Chattanooga's "emergency recycling pickup" has not taken materials to recycling centers, but to the dump due to the inability to run separate trash and recycling trucks along routes.
Public Works will empty curbside recycling bins with the zone-based collection schedule which the department previously used. Residents can find out where they fall in the biweekly collection schedule by zone at bit.ly/cha-recycle.
Until Nov. 1, residents wishing to recycle can bring materials to the following centers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday:
- 5955 Brainerd Road.
- 1250 E. 3rd St.
- 3189 Cummings Highway.
- 8004 Batters Place Road.
- 4504 N. Access Road.
Residents can also call 311 or 423-643-6311 with any additional questions. Learn what types of materials Public Works will accept at bit.ly/what-to-recycle.
- Compiled by Kim Sebring