Commercial businesses are facing new City fees.

The Jefferson City Council recently approved a new ordinance for commercial cardboard collection. Mayor Pro Tem Harry Ahrenholtz says the City used to make a small profit to take cardboard from commercial businesses to the recycling center. However, Ahrenholtz points out the value of cardboard has decreased to where the City is spending tens of thousands of dollars to recycle cardboard at no cost. He says a fee structure has been set up to charge commercial businesses, however businesses can also opt out if they choose to. 

Ahrenholtz explains why the City wants to continue recycling cardboard going forward and what the benefits are for commercial properties to participate.

“Why don’t we just put it in the trash dumpster and haul it to the landfill? The proposed cardboard recycling fees will end up being less for these commercial users than if they would put it in the dumpster and then we take it to the landfill.”

Commercial properties will also be required to pay a monthly fee for general recycling of $4.70. Ahrenholtz notes that while no one wants new fees, it is necessary and beneficial for the City to continue recycling.

“I guess everyone is hopeful that at some point the recycling materials will begin having some value again. But for the here and now it’s costing to go through that program, but there are benefits to that cost also. If we don’t do it through recycle, then the costs are going to go up for regular trash removal and our land fee costs are going to go up.”

While the monthly recycling fee is now in effect, the commercial cardboard recycling fee will go into effect next month and appear on February billing statements.