Mission Beach recently received blue recycling bins for all residents who want to partake in San Diego’s recycling system, and the road to going green has been a long one. “Mission Beach was the only area in the city that didn’t have recycling or blue bins or pickup,” said Mission Beach Town Council (MBTC) board member Kat Ohlmann. While other communities around the nation have been recycling for decades, the push to make Mission Beach recycle-friendly has had its bumps along the way. Residents have balked at the change for a variety of reasons including not having enough space in the tight streets for more bins, and a fear that scavengers will increase in the area. But there was also a logistical problem for the community’s recycling movement to hurdle. Because of the narrow roads and lanes all over the community, a special vehicle was needed to pick up the blue bins. “When [District 2 City Councilman] Kevin Faulconer came through with that [the Alley Cat vehicle], I think it was our last hurdle and now we finally have [recycling],” said Robert Craig, who is on the board of the MBTC and a proponent in bringing recycling to Mission Beach. The blue can system in Mission Beach has officially begun, but a number of residents have opted not to participate. Those residents are expected to deal with their recycling on an individual basis because throwing recycling in the trash is not permitted by law, and not recycling properly can lead to fines. As far as the subject of scavengers goes, residents are urged to reporting individuals digging through the bins. In addition, stickers are being provided for the bins that clearly state scavenging and rummaging through the recycling containers is illegal. “We have to not be so complacent,” Ohlmann said. San Diego’s Environment Services plans to step-up patrols and inspections over the next month and a half. A plan to use locks on the blue cans is also being discussed among members of the MBTC. Mission Beach residents who have not requested a blue bin can call Environmental Services at (858) 694-7000 to request one, and must do so before Oct. 29 to avoid a $25 delivery charge. Residents can call the same number to report scavengers Monday’s through Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
