At the city council meeting, one of the most discussed topics was regarding the recycling program. The Longview City Council voted to keep the city鈥檚 recycling program after Mayor Kristen Ishihara cast a tiebreaking vote in favor of continuing the service. 鈥淲e won鈥檛 be there when the landfill fills up in 70 years, our children will,鈥� Ishihara said.
The recycling service will be part of next year鈥檚 budget, which the council approved. Participation in the program recently dropped to 12%, down from 50% before a fire at Rivers Recycling in 2024. Curbside recycling returned after a gap in the program. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 waste it, you fix it, you mend it, you don鈥檛 throw it away,鈥� one resident said.
Several residents spoke on the agenda item, all in favor of keeping the program. They said the city did not do enough on education, such as changing days for routes. Members who voted to keep the program said it would not be fair to abruptly end it. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 terminate something without something to replace it or say we just aren鈥檛 going to do recycling,鈥� one member said.
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