The Plano City Council at a preliminary meeting tonight, Aug. 10, will discuss with staff a proposal from SimpleRecycling that, if approved, would add clothing and household goods to the city's recycling program.
If approved, Plano would be the first city in Texas to offer this additional curbside service.
In June, council members heard a presentation by Environmental Services Manager Robert Smouse and representatives from SimpleRecycling about adding the clothing and home goods pick up service to the city’s recycling program. The program would help increase the city’s goal of achieving a 50 percent recycling rate and includes a 3-year contract for free curbside clothing and home goods recycling with collection bags. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, only 15 percent of clothing nationwide is donated or recycled in traditional methods (charity, drop off bins), while 85 percent goes in the trash. The EPA equates this to 70 pounds of discarded clothing per person per year.
Public hearing items set for tonight's regular meeting, which starts at 7 p.m., include:
- FY 2015-16 recommended budget and proposed Community Investment Program;
- Consideration of a resolution to accept the certified appraisal rolls for FY 2015-16 for Collin and Denton counties and providing an effective date;
- Proposal to approve the cap to which the city can increase its tax rate;
- Consideration to amend the comprehensive zoning ordinance from general office to retail for new dance studio at Park and Los Rios boulevards; and
- Consideration of a resolution to declare downtown Plano as an arts district and adopt a culture and events plan as a guide to its future development.
