City of Malta to Change how Cardboard is Collected

After much discussion and talks with other cities around the state, the Malta City Council decided that a change is in order for the way that cardboard is to be handled at their last meeting on Tuesday, March 8.

"Back when we started collecting and bailing the cardboard, you could make a small amount of money," said Mayor John Demarais. "Even if we broke even, it was ok. But now, there's just no way to come anywhere close to breaking even. So a change is definitely needed."

"All of the other cities that we contacted said the same thing. Their cardboard goes in with the trash," said Public Works Director Jim Truelove.

The council decided that the first step to get this done is to get rid of the fenced-in cardboard drop-off area between the Malta Fire Station and the MOI. The city crew will get that cleared out and remove the fencing.

From now on, the community will be responsible for breaking down all of their cardboard and putting it in with their garbage. The key is to have all of it broken down flat.

Both Demarais and Public Works Director, Jim Truelove, say the most difficult part will be all of the businesses.

Truelove said, "We will get with each business and figure out how much cardboard they accumulate and get the needed amount of garbage cans to them."

"It will take a little bit of time with the businesses," said Demarais. "But we'll work with all of them and get things figured out."

To recap, starting now, everyone needs to break down all of their boxes flat and then just put them in with the rest of their trash.

The city will be getting with all of the businesses to see what each one will need for trash cans to accommodate their cardboard. And each business will need to break down its boxes. Any cardboard that is taken directly out to the City Landfill will need to be broken down flat as well.

In other New Business, the council approved a bid for new LED lighting to be put in the firehouse.

They approved a CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) contract for Great West Engineering.

The council approved the release of a few names from the old Community Block Development Grant. These were loans from the 1980s that the bank is trying to clean up and get off of their books.

With the final item of the night, the council approved to participate in the SFY 2023 City Park Rest Area Program.

The next Malta City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 22, at 5:00 p.m.