Chesapeake, Virginia — Bill and Joan Gregory have lived in this city for 17 years and are avid recyclers. The retired couple say doing good deeds has become a little harder since street recycling ended in June.
“It has never been easier than rolling a trash can down the street. Now you have to load it into your car, take it to the drop off point, and personally sort the cardboard from the other materials. I didn’t do it, but it wasn’t as convenient as it used to be,” says Gregory.
According to Chesapeake Recycles, 7,000 people have petitioned to get it back. Despite efforts, the City of Chesapeake has decided to terminate his contract with TFC Recycling.
Residents can sign up for private subscription-based pickups, but prices range from $15 to $22 per month for weekly to bi-weekly pickups. The Gregory family told News 3 that they tried to sign up but had problems.
“We made a deal with a company that came to our door, but a few days later they called me back and said they didn’t serve our area. You have to understand that for outdoor and other fairly dense people like in…it’s not available in densely populated areas,” Gregory says.
For some people, the subscription cost is more than they can afford.
“There are so many people that the only thing they have is social security to live on,” adds Joan Gregory.
You also have the option to drive to 7 different drop-off locations, but Gregory’s is about 7 miles each way. With gas prices going up and down, they have to think about what is most cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
“I wonder if sending me to the drop-off location or having the truck pick me up uses more fuel?” Gregory asks.
Gregory’s Curb of Hope may return one day, but the expectation now is to get on the same page as the city and explore all the options, meeting each other along the way.
Click the link below to learn more about Chesapeake Recycles.
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