Most every Milton resident has to do something with their garbage, recycling, and – for many of us – yard waste. And we’d love to hear from you about how the City can make this process better.

Help us out, and help Milton, by completing this simple survey: https://form.jotform.com/242546099512056.

Your answers will inform Milton’s new Recycling and Solid Waste Management Plan, as well as the core recommendations that it includes. The idea is to create a system that best serves those who live here in terms of cost, efficiency, and effectiveness. We would also prefer any changes do good by the environment.

Currently, the City licenses qualified providers who agree to terms outlined in City Code. That same approach may continue going forward, or there may be a whole new one. And it’s also possible that the current system is supplemented by new features, like a new/expanded recycling center or more hard-to-recycle item options.

It’s important that the community drives whatever comes out of this plan and, ultimately, what is enacted by City leaders. That’s why this survey is important in soliciting opinions on what works, what needs improvement, and a whole lot more. It touches on household trash, recycling, what’s called household hazardous waste (so things like paint, gardening chemicals, certain lightbulbs, etc.), and how to get rid of leaves, tree branches, and then some.

There will be other opportunities for people to share their views as well. For instance, HOA leaders are invited to City Hall’s Council Chambers at 6 p.m. on October 3 to inform and engage Milton’s neighborhoods with the leaders as key intermediaries. The Milton Sustainability Advisory Committee is also working extensively with City leaders, staff, and the project team to craft the Recycling and Solid Waste Management Plan (RSWMP).

This guiding document will outline a 10-year plan for the City to manage solid waste collection and disposal, work toward sustainability goals, and improve efficiency and consistency in recycling and solid waste collection across Milton. You can learn more about it at https://www.miltonga.gov/government/public-works/environmental-programs-sustainability/recycling-and-solid-waste-management-plan-rswmp/.

Those wanting more information about this plan and project can contact the City’s Environmental Program Manager Emily Groth at Emily.Groth@miltonga.gov. Emily is also the point-of-contact for the HOA leadership session in early October for those with questions about that.