As residents report recycling still being tossed with trash weeks after a promised restart, a proposal to end alley collection fuels further uncertainty.

ST. LOUIS — More than two months after a tornado devastated parts of St. Louis, residents are reporting continued confusion and disruption regarding the city’s recycling services, with some saying their recyclables are still being collected by the same trucks as regular trash.

The collection of trash, recycling, and yard waste was officially combined following the May 16 tornado to manage the sheer volume of debris. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources granted the city a temporary exemption to do so, with the expectation that normal, separated collections would resume by July 1.

However, residents say the commingling of waste and recycling has persisted in some areas well past that deadline, with little to no communication from the city to clarify the situation.

“July 1st, it was supposed to resume being all separated in alleys. And that’s what I thought was going to happen and I think that’s what my constituents thought was going to happen, too,” said Ward 1 Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer.

Schweitzer said she has heard from multiple constituents who have witnessed recycling and trash being picked up together after the restart date. Resident Jesse Stuart has heard the same.

“I’ve talked to other neighbors and residents who have seen it in our neighborhood,” Stuart said. “So I think I mean it unfortunately seems like it’s happening.”

The lack of clear information has left residents like Stuart frustrated and asking for a clear plan.

“It’s just I think keeping us informed so we know what’s going on and can continue to have hope and that there’s a a plan down the road to create a solution for what’s going on,” Stuart said.

Fueling the uncertainty is a separate, ongoing discussion about eliminating the large, blue alleyway recycling dumpsters altogether—an idea Mayor Cara Spencer supported during her campaign. Proponents of the move argue that high rates of contamination, where non-recyclable trash is thrown into recycling bins, often result in the entire load being sent to a landfill anyway.

Alderwoman Schweitzer acknowledged the contamination problem.

“And I understand where she’s coming from because so much of what gets put in the alley bins and ends up getting thrown out because unfortunately people either don’t know what’s recyclable or people if their regular bin is full, they may end up  putting stuff in the blue bin that shouldn’t be in the blue bin,” Schweitzer said.

In the interim, Schweitzer is advising concerned residents to take their recyclables directly to one of the city’s designated drop-off locations to ensure they are processed correctly. However, she hopes there is a long-term solution that is more accessible.

“That can be tough for people who don’t have a car or a way to get around to participate and it’s tough for just every everyday people who do have those modes of transportation to add another stop into their day,” she said. “So I think it’ll end up with even less getting recycled.”

Stuart said recycling is important to active city residents like him and it’s important to prospective residents too.

“If we’re trying to drive people to move into the city and live in the city, that’s a thing that people really care about and want to see a sustainable solution in place for that,” Stuart said. “So I think having a plan is critical to not just today’s issue but the city’s future.”

The city’s Refuse Division has faced collection challenges in the past, including those stemming from staffing shortages.

5 On Your Side reached out to the city for an interview and comment about recycling and did not hear back.

To find a recycling drop off location in your ward, click here.