WEST BOUNTIFUL — West Bountiful city has a decision to make when considering recycling options.

And Nathan Rich, executive director of the Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District (WIWMD), said West Bountiful city has a few options available when it comes to having a recycling program put in place for the city.

“West Bountiful is in a special service district of (WIWMD),” he said. “And a lot of residents here already prefer curbside recycling over anything else.

“It is beneficial, but it’s also more costly to its residents. We believe we have options available that will serve the community well while keeping costs down.”

According to Rich, residents stand to pay $5.25 for recycling usage per can, per household. Through the fees collected, Wasatch Integrated will pick up the residents’ recyclables every other week.

“The price could be cheaper depending on which program the residents want to use,” said Rich. “Green waste recycling is cheaper then regular recycling, for example.”

He also said that a few other south Davis County cities already have a recycling program in place or are in the process of doing so.

“I know Centerville, Farmington and Woods Cross are in the process of using a recycling program,” he said. “Bountiful is already using a program, and others may be soon to follow.”

An initial plan, if recycling is implemented by the city in some form, is to have a separate can for “recyclable waste” during the spring, summer and fall months.

For the winter, the cans will be turned into regular trash cans with the hopes that residents will use the cans for recyclables again in the spring.

“We ran a survey of roughly 300 residents in the Davis County area and found that 75-80 percent of residents would like to have a recycling program or want more recycling efforts done in their respective communities,” said Rich. “Also, most prefer to have regular recycling with a waste building as opposed to any other options.”

West Bountiful Mayor James Behunin asked residents in attendance which option they would prefer: regular recycling with a waste building nearby or a green waste disposal can with a monthly fee.

Most preferred regular recycling with a nearby building.

The discussion led Behunin to another point.

“We should try to have a curbside recycling or green waste recycling question on the ballot for the election,” he said. “I think it’s important enough for residents to make the ultimate decision on the matter.”

The city will continue to discuss recycling options in future city council meetings.

“I think this is something that will help the city in the long term,” said Rich. “I know air quality is a major concern for residents here, so I think they will be considering other options first; however, whatever they decide to do will help the environment.”

sgillet@davisclipper.com