Lee County to boost recycling with new wheeled carts

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A wheeled recycling cart is coming soon to your driveway.

Lee County is replacing the last of the old, blue bins that have been used for recycling for years.

The county says the bigger carts will increase recycling rates, but not every homeowner is sold on the idea.

Workers are putting the wheels on the carts that will go to homes in North Fort Myers, Matlacha, Pine Island, and Burnt Store.

The 64 gallon containers are supposed to replace the blue bins.

“We have seen a significant increase in recycling in the areas that already have the wheeled cart,” said Molly Schweers, Lee County Solid Waste Coordinator.

In April, workers will distribute carts to homes in south Lee County. A total of 50,000 carts will go out in coming weeks, and the county believes they will boost the recycling rate of 70 percent — second highest in the state.

“It takes less energy and less water to make materials out of recycled materials than it does out virgin materials. Again, our resources aren’t endless, so we need to recover and reuse,” said Lee County Recycling Coordinator Emory Smith.

The county is spending $2.5 million to buy the carts. The money comes from property taxes.

There are homeowners for, and against, the new carts.

“I don’t think that’s going to make people recycle anymore, if they’ve got something that’s a little bit more convenient to wheel to the end of the driveway. It starts in the house, with the people putting it in the recycle bin,” said Rebecca Poser.

Fort Myers and Cape Coral have already begun using the carts. The final, 50,000 units, will mean every household in Lee County will have a wheeled cart for recycling after April 30.

The state legislature is mandating that every county boost recycling to more than 75 percent by the year 2020.