Private recycling company looking for subscribers for curbside pickup

By Alicia Petska

Published: November 18, 2008

Subscriptions are now being taken for a new, privately run recycling service in Lynchburg offering curbside pickup to its customers.

More information about Recycle Easy can be obtained by visiting http://www.recycleeasy.com or calling (434) 929-2332. The deadline to sign up for service is Dec. 15.

Recycle Easy, a venture created by three local businesspeople, must have a minimum of 500 accounts by Dec. 15 in order to proceed, according to partner Bill Sellari.

“That’s what we need to operate the equipment and get the personnel in place,” Sellari said Monday. “We’re hoping there are enough people in this area excited about recycling to help us get this started.”

The new recycling operation — the only one of its kind in the area — was spotlighted last month when City Council debated the possibility of starting a municipally funded curbside recycling program.

Officials ultimately opted not to take action, citing in part concerns about the added cost. They expressed strong hope for Recycle Easy, however, and raised the possibility of exploring a private-public partnership in the future.

Recycle Easy plans to start operation in January. Service will initially be limited to the 24502, 24503, and 24551 ZIP codes within Lynchburg and the Forest area. The company hopes to expand over time, and is considering the 24501 ZIP code for future service.

Recycle Easy will collect cardboard, newspaper, mixed paper, cans, glass, and plastics Nos. 1 and 2, which customers can place in a bin provided by the company and set out on the curb for pickup on a pre-appointed day.

Subscriptions are available on a yearly basis for $179. Payments can be made in installments.

Sellari, who owns his own exporting firm, has partnered with Sweet Briar College business professor Tom Scott and marketing professional Susan Hudson in this endeavor.

The trio has pledged to recycle as much of the material they collect as possible — including less-profitable products such as glass, which recycling companies are currently charging to accept.

“We do not want to pick up materials unless we’re going to recycle them,” said Sellari, adding prospective customers are already asking questions on that point. “We’re going to do our dead-level best to put everything back into the recycling stream. … Everything we take to the landfill is a loss.”

Recycle Easy collections will be carted to one of the local recycling companies, or bundled and hauled to facilities outside the area.

Sellari said they currently have 25 households signed up, and are hoping to see a brisker pace of business over the next month. If a surge of subscriptions flow in, say a couple thousand, they could reduce the yearly charge, he noted.

If they fail to meet the 500 minimum, all fees paid will be refunded.

“We’ll thank the folks who signed up for their desire to be better stewards of the Earth, but we will not be able to operate with such a small amount,” he said.