A new recycling program in Jersey Village through Waste Corporation of America will provide greater convenience to residents in an effort to increase participation. The service, which starts May 20, offers residents larger, 65-gallon bins with covers and wheels and does not require recyclable items to be sorted.

Low participation rates in a recycling program that began in December led Tascon Industries—the company providing the previous collection services—to call for canceling its contract with the city in May. Participation rates fell as low as 25 percent by March. Tascon officials also cited manpower shortages and an increase in non-recyclable materials being included in the bins as reasons for ending the one-year contract early.

Jersey Village City Council approved the termination of that contract at its March 16 meeting before authorizing City Manager Mike Castro to negotiate a contract with WCA. At its April 20 meeting, council amended the city budget to direct $30,000 to the general fund for the WCA program.

"It's the socially responsible thing to do, but it comes with a cost," Mayor Rod Erskine said. "We hope we can get the residents to up the participation rate to make it worth the investment."

The city's contract with WCA is for three years, Erskine said.

"Three years from now, [the city] can look at participation rates and decide if there is a good business justification for it," he said.

WCA serves around 2,070 households in Jersey Village. The new program comes at the cost of roughly $3.50 per household, which would be added to the existing monthly charge of $11.58 for solid waste collection. The city is charged per home, regardless of the total number of participants.

Residents used the public comment period at the April 20 meeting to speak both for and against the recycling program. Resident Michael Brown suggested the money could be better spent on repairs at the city pool and providing better compensation for city law enforcement. Resident Jim Fields said he would have liked to see the money invested in sidewalk repairs, saying the low participation rates made it clear recycling is not a priority for Jersey Village residents.

"What we need are leaders, not parents," Fields said.

Resident Bobby Warren expressed support for the program and urged council to explore opportunities for cost savings if participation rates do increase.

"I think it's worth it for us to be good stewards of this Earth even if it means paying a little more money upfront," Warren said.

Residents should receive new bins on May 14. Residents are asked to place their bins on the curb by 7 a.m. on Wednesdays once the program beings.

The following items are accepted under the new program: newspapers, magazines, colored paper, junk mail, paper bags, phone books, cardboard, plastics Nos. 1-7, aluminum foil and aluminum, steel and tin cans. Additional rules and regulations can be found on the city's website.

Further questions should be directed to WCA customer care at 281-368-8397, or Jersey Village staff at 713-466-2133.