(KAIR)--As the city of Atchison is looking to move to a new method of recycling, changes are being proposed to the city's overall solid waste management code. City Public Works Director Justin Pregont came before the City Commission Monday evening to present some of those changes and ask for input. He says some of the changes provide some clarity in terms of trash cart ownership, in that the city does maintain ownership of those carts indefinitely. They also establishes maintenance of those carts, and that residents are to keep the cart, and the area around it as neat and clean as possible.

Other changes clear up any confusion on who is responsible for maintenance of the cart. Procedures will be put in place to clarify wheather the city or the property owner is responsible for damage to the cart, depending on how the cart was damaged. Account holders can also call and request a second cart for an additional $3 a month.

Pregont says these changes are in response to a plan set forth by the Commission late last year when they set goals for the solid waste program. One of those  goals was to address the problem with street litter, and to clean up some of the residential areas in the city. These proposed changes would help meet this goal.

Pregont says another proposed change would be to have all waste put out for collection to be bagged. This would help make things safer for sanitation workers collecting the waste.

There were no major objections from the Commission, and a completed plan will be presented to them at a later meeting.