The City of Biddeford will have its first municipal curbside pick-up recycling program starting this summer.

It’s an important step for a city of its size, as much recyclable material is currently unnecessarily going into landfills and incinerators. The curbside recycling program couldn’t be easier, and we’re pleased to see it’s going to be mandatory.

While public works crews won’t be digging through trash bags to ensure residents are recycling, they will be able to check if residents are placing their trash and recycling in the proper containers, according to Environmental Code Officer Brian Phinney. The city is providing the recycling containers, which will be blue, 65- or 95-gallon containers, to encourage recycling.

Much of each household’s waste is recyclable, and since Biddeford will be accepting more plastics ”“ No. 1-7, instead of just Nos. 1 and 2 ”“ people should have no problem filling up those blue containers with not only plastics but also paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, glass and more. What makes the program even easier is that items don’t need to be sorted ”“ they simply need to placed in the bin.

The proposed solid waste ordinance has a period for education to help residents learn the new system. During the first six months of the program, residents will not be fined for violations. After the first six months, those who don’t follow the program will be given a warning first. After that, they could be charged up to $100 per violation. If they do not correct problems, their waste removal services could be canceled, under the current proposal.

While fines may seem harsh, it is important for everyone to recycle. Recycling will reduce costs for the city ”“ and in turn taxpayers ”“ by lowering the cost of trash disposal. The environmental impacts of landfilling and burning trash are also costing us in air and water quality, as well as losing the use of land that has thousands of tons of trash buried under it.

To further encourage recycling, a pay-per-bag program is being proposed in which residents will have to purchase special trash bags, which would need to be used by those who have waste in excess of their city-assigned trash container.

This is another important proposal, and it provides incentive for each household to recycle as much as they are able. Allowing residents to fill up their trash container once a week should provide plenty of room for trash for an average family. Those who don’t recycle enough and need more bags will have to think twice before throwing their plastics and paper in the trash, because it will cost them.

The Solid Waste Management Commission is expected to vote on the proposal in February, and we hope members will keep the teeth in this measure to make sure residents recycle and dispose of their trash responsibly.

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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.