SAN ANTONIO — The city council approved a $50 fee for putting dirty diapers in the city recycle bins.
The city says dirty diapers belong in the brown trash bins, but many people put them in the recycle bin, which contaminates it. Last year, the city lost almost $1.2 million.
Currently, there is a $25 improper disposal fee, but the city approved a special $50 diaper fee.
Most paper, plastic, glass and metal can be put in the blue recycle bin, but you cannot put aluminum foil, light bulbs or dirty diapers in them. Outdoor shrubbery and leftover food can go in the green organic bins.
Basically anything else, except electronic waste and dead animals can go in the brown bins.
Letters are being sent out if you use the city's recycling service to warn of the new fee.
There will be a warning for the first diaper offense. After the second, a solid waste employee will talk to the resident about proper recycling. The third will result in the fine.
