Retrospect: Curbside recycling began

Twenty-five years ago this week, Portland started its curbside recycling program.

On Feb. 1, 1993, L&D Recycling Services of Fort Wayne picked up recycling from Portland residents for the first time, though not without some hiccups.

The process was delayed by about four hours because a supervisor from L&D was sick and could not deliver a truck. Everything was still complete by 5:30 p.m., street department superintendent Jim Hedges told The Commercial Review.

Hedges also reported that about 20 residents had called city hall to say that they had either not received the plastic recycling bags from L&D and/or did not now what items were recyclable.

Portland City Council member Donald Gillespie urged action from L&D in order to make sure the program was effective.

“There people (L&D) need to go door-to-door to the people who haven’t been contacted,” he said.

Council member Bruce Hosier agreed that the education effort should have been better, but urged residents to be patient.

“In a month from now, if we are still having this type of problems,” the city should be concerned, Hosier said, adding that he planned to deliver bags and educational information about the program within his district. Bags were also made available at city hall.