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WSBT photo (August 2, 2012) |
SOUTH BEND – What you set out at the curb could help save South Bend thousands of dollars.
The city says at least $40,000 a year will be saved if you use paper yard waste bags instead of plastic.
All that yard waste like grass and tree branches ends up at what's called the Organic Resources Department near Nimtz Parkway.
The city uses extra manpower and resources to separate the plastic from the yard waste so it can be made into compost.
The Solid Waste Department wants to change that by asking everyone to voluntarily switch from plastic bags to paper.
"If we can get people to put things into a paper bag that will actually biodegrade, it's gonna help the whole process," said Al Greek of Environmental Services. "A lot less screening, a lot less landfill costs."
South Bend is not making the switch from plastic to paper mandatory.
