Providing dependable city services and planning for Fayetteville’s future are part of why I’m running for City Council.

We need to make sure services like recycling can keep meeting the needs of our community and that we make thoughtful long-term decisions about the systems residents rely on every day.

For example, the giant blue carts that have arrived in Fayetteville signal a significant shift in the way the City collects and processes recyclable materials.

The transition is part of a larger regional recycling strategy to divert more materials from the landfill.

As Northwest Arkansas continues its rapid population growth, one of the foundational services (where do we put our trash?) has a very clear capacity limit at the Eco-Vista Landfill.

Given the constraints of Eco-Vista, I like the idea of doubling our recycling volume in Fayetteville and spreading this to the entire region.

That will undoubtedly lead to an increase in contamination compared to the previous one percent rate, but any recyclable material going to the landfill is 100 percent contaminated.

As I march up the stream of trash and recycling, this onion has a seemingly infinite number of layers, though.

Our waste diversion rate is capped by the amount of recyclable materials that are available for purchase.

For now, Northwest Arkansas is focusing on what it can control, and that is a direct effort to expand the volume of materials being collected.

Recycling is just one example of the basic services City government has to get right. I want to bring a thoughtful, practical approach to those decisions.

I hope to earn your vote for Fayetteville City Council, Ward 2.
Early Voting starts Monday, October 19.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.