Local city adding cameras to trash trucks to track who doesn’t recycle

DAYTON — Recycling is always encouraged but one city said it isn’t seeing as much of it as they would like.

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“We’re really not seeing an increase in the tonnage that we’re collecting. So this is another effort on our part to try to reach that goal,” Tom Ritchie, deputy director of Dayton Public Works said.

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As reported on News Center 7 at 6, Ritchie said only 8 percent of the trash they’re collecting is being recycled, he’d like to see that number at 12 percent.

He added their biggest concern is residents who are signed up to recycle but aren’t doing it.

Starting in 2025 trash trucks will have cameras added to the exterior so they’ll be able to keep track of people that aren’t utilizing the recycling program.

Dayton resident Diane Bowling thinks making the change to start recycling is easy.

“Take the time when you take your trash out. It’s extra bulk ... don’t put it in a bag. Put it in a container. It’s not less convenient,” Bowling said.

Ritchie said he thinks it comes down to people not knowing what to recycle.

Dayton residents can see a list of recyclable times here.

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