The city of Harrisonburg passed, under the radar screen, as part of their 2008/2009 budget a mandatory recycling fee for every city residence.  While residents who currently receive city waste collection services will notice no increase in their waste collection bill, apartment communities who use private trash collection services will be required to pay $10/door to the city for recycling collection services.  As an option, the city has offered that apartment communities may submit to the county a recycling plan using their current waste collection company so long as they can certify to the county that 25% of the waste collected is recyclable.

 

VAMA believes the city acted outside of its statutory authority in imposing the $10/door fee on apartment communities and as such is exploring, and may pursue legal action against the city.  It is important for VAMA to stop this fee in Harrisonburg as if it were allowed to stand we believe other city’s and counties would quickly follow suit and impose the same type of fees on apartment communities located in their jurisdictions.