Curbside recycling bins are disappearing from homes all over the county at an alarming rate, said Nancy Gibson, recycling coordinator for the Solid Waste District of LaPorte County.
Since the beginning of 2011, 128 bins have been reported missing. Most often, the recycling bins go missing on a resident’s scheduled pickup day.
“They will tell us that they put it out the night before, like they are supposed to, and then it disappears,” Gibson said. Occasionally bins fall into the hopper of the recycling truck during pickup, but that is rare.
“These toters are being stolen because they are so convenient to use, and some people have found uses for them other than storing recycling for pickup,” Gibson said.
Residents can help curtail these thefts by removing recycling bins from the curbside as soon after pickup as possible.
“Do not make it easy for someone to steal it. If it’s up by or behind your house or in your garage, it is relatively safe,” Gibson said. “But I have noticed in driving to and from work there are residents who leave their toters at the curbside 24/7. This really is an open invitation for someone to re-appropriate it for their own personal use.”
A number of residents have also called the Solid Waste District needing a new bin because the previous residents took the recycling bin with them. User fees for recycling are paid through property taxes, so the bin needs to stay with the property.
“There is a serial number on the front of the toter and that number has been assigned to that specific house. Our toters do not belong to individuals,” Gibson said. “This is especially a problem at rental properties. Landlords are responsible for these toters. They need to tell their tenants to be sure when moving out of a house or apartment to leave the toter there.”
If there is not currently a toter at your residence, please call the Solid Waste District at (219) 326-0014 to receive one.
The Solid Waste District will not hesitate to prosecute anyone for stealing recycling bins. In June, staff recovered a dozen stolen recycling and garbage toters from a residence. Prosecution is pending.
“If the toter at your home goes missing, we encourage you to call us, get the number that was on your bin, and make a police report,” Gibson said.
Cracking down on those who are taking these toters will save money for the Solid Waste District and residents. Recycling bins are very expensive to buy and replace.
“Right now we have a long waiting list of people who need a new toter, and Able Disposal just doesn’t have enough on hand,” she said. “The residents of LaPorte County do an amazing job of recycling. Let’s step up to the plate and be responsible for the toters as well.”
