Ogden to remove some public glass bins after Momentum Recycling contract ends; staff propose two monitored sites

City staff told the council on June 9 that Ogdens contract with Momentum Recycling ended early this spring after Momentum proposed steep price increases and elimination of the previous kickback, prompting staff to search for alternate collection sites and vendors.

Gage Charlesworth, identified in the meeting as the public works director, said Momentum sought to increase costs "almost double" and remove a prior kickback the city received. He said the city asked school and neighborhood property hosts whether bins could remain; Ogden High School requested permanent removal because the bin location conflicted with parking needs for events.

To preserve glass recycling without the previous curbside convenience, staff proposed consolidating to two monitored locations: the Green Waste facility and the Ogden Transfer Station. Charlesworth said the Green Waste site would be under 24/7 surveillance and the transfer station would accept drops free under the city's new contract, while Republic (the city's new trash/recycling contractor) has offered a lower-cost bin option. Council members pressed staff about convenience for residents who previously used the high-school site, the risk that additional user fees would push people to place glass in regular trash, and contamination of glass bins by cardboard and bulky items — problems staff documented at other bins.

Charlesworth said the transfer station option would allow residents to offload cardboard and small loads at no charge and that the city is open to other city-owned locations if parking and long-term monitoring can be assured. He noted that Momentum offered a paid collection service (one-time drop and a monthly fee) but warned higher ongoing costs could reduce participation and increase contamination. Councilors asked staff to continue exploring city-owned sites (Marquart Park was discussed but flagged for limited parking) and to pursue monitored locations to reduce contamination and policing costs.

Staff will return with proposed site locations, service pricing and a recommended rollout plan.