Monday, October 3 marks the first day of pick-ups for the City of Knoxville's new single-stream, household, curbside recycling program!

"This is an exciting day for our City," says Mayor Daniel Brown. "Our citizens are ready to "do their part, with their recycling cart!"

Nearly 17,000 households will participate in the program starting next week. Recycling collection will occur every other week, and carts need to be rolled to within five feet of the curb or alley - typically in the same place where garbage is collected.

Those households that signed up for the new program at no additional charge by August 14 should have received a cart. These citizens should be prepared for their first round of recycling pick-up on their designated day, in the first two weeks of October.

The total goal for the program is 20,000 households and there are about 1,500 spots still available. Residents with City garbage pick-up can sign-up for one of the remaining slots by calling 311 or by going to www.doyourpartwiththecart.com. Those who have signed up for the program since August 14 can expect their cart to be delivered in early 2012.

"This is a positive step towards more sustainable business practices for the City," says David Brace, deputy director of public service, and the leader of the team making this recycling program happen.

Monday, October 3 also marks the end of free non-medical backdoor garbage collection. This means all households will have to take their garbage to within five feet of the curb or alley for collection. Those who are over age 75 or who have a medical need can continue to receive backdoor garbage service at no charge by completing an application, which is available by calling 311.

This change was announced in April for approximately 25% of the City's garbage customers. Since the City pays extra for this service, the change will save the City money. It will also eliminate the long-standing service inequity where a small percentage of customers received an extra service paid for by all citizens. Eliminating non-medical backdoor garbage service is part of an overall solid waste management plan to modernize and create more efficient services for the City.

More information is available by calling 311 or on the City's web site.