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MEDFORD Rogue Disposal may raise rates for yard debris Fall leaf-bag program could end after this year, too By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 24, 2015 @ 5:52 pm By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 24, 2015 @ 5:52 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> When recycling was introduced in the Rogue Valley in 1999, customers discovered it was a cheap way to improve the environment and get rid of their garden debris. Those days are quickly fading away as Rogue Disposal considers an increase from $4.50 to $6.50 a month for the popular green can, which recycles lawn and garden debris into compost. “To get people involved in the program, we knew that price wasn’t sustainable,” said Garry Penning, spokesman for Rogue Disposal. When the program first started, it cost $3.50 a month, he said. Penning said the issue will be discussed at an upcoming City Council meeting. Rogue Disposal has a franchise agreement with Medford for trash pickup. Another popular program that collects 2 million pounds of leaves every year also could be changed. The free bag giveaway program could end, and the mailer ads sent to customers could stop, saving about $20,000 a year and helping curb any higher cost increases. Penning said Rogue Disposal has enough bags on hand for this fall, but wants to end the program by next year. Rogue Disposal wants to take more advantage of social media as well as media ads to get the word out about the leaf program. Out of the 24,000 customers in Medford, only 300 took advantage of the program that offered 10 free bags. An additional 1,700 customers bought bags because they needed more than 10. For 30 bags, it would cost $1. “For the amount of customers we have, we really have a very small percentage of folks using those bags,” Penning said. However, some Medford city councilors recently expressed concern about losing the bag program. Some councilors proposed that the city come up with the approximately $11,000 a year that it costs to buy the bags. Medford Councilor Daniel Bunn said, “Free bags made sense when the program first started.” But, he thinks that time may have passed, and he doesn’t think the council has the appetite to subsidize the leaf-bag program. “I don’t think we’re going to do that,” he said. “We’re just appreciative of having the service.” The city has one more year before the bags will no longer be given away, so Bunn said the council has plenty of time to address that issue. Raising rates for the green carts also makes some sense, he said. “They haven’t raised the rates in a long time,” Bunn said. “It’s a good program that helps keep green waste out of the landfill.” Bunn said he hopes Rogue Disposal’s efforts to curb some of its costs will mean less of a jump in overall garbage rates. “If we get the green waste program in line, I hope we won’t have to increase the regular waste program above inflation,” he said. Rogue Disposal has experienced pressures on its costs to recycle materials. China, which used to accept just about any pile of recycled materials, also has gone more "green" over the past couple of years and accepts only uncontaminated materials. Customers currently pay $17.03 per month for a 35-gallon container. Rogue Disposal will be looking at its rate structure as part of an upcoming five-year review. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reporterdm .   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 24, 2015 @ 5:52 pm » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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