The city's "single stream" recycling initiative, which launched last summer, is picking up steam. But the issue of recycling for owners and tenants of mixed-use and commercial buildings is still unresolved.

According to the city's contract with Harford Sanitation Services, recycling is currently collected from only residential dwellings within Havre de Grace.

That leaves out business owners—like Barbara Wagner of Bahoukas Antique Mall on Union Avenue, who first brought up her concerns with a comment on Patch last week.

"After much effort and struggle, I have been unable to arrange any recycling services for the four families and five businesses in our buildings," Wagner said.

Wagner followed up her concerns with Mayor Wayne Dougherty and members of the city council, via email.

John Van Gilder, spokesperson for the city, said single stream is still a new initiative for Havre de Grace, and city officials have heard from Wagner and other business owners who would like the same recycling services as residential owners.

"Every day public works is inundated with calls about trash services," he said, explaining that the contract between the city and Harford Sanitation will soon be up for renewal and possibly commercial buildings can be incorporated before the contract is extended. 

Van Gilder said Havre de Grace is one of the only municipalities in the area where trash services are included in property taxes.

Council President Bill Martin said he was unaware commercial buildings were not included in single stream recycling until he received Wagner's email Tuesday.

Wagner's email stated, " In the past I have spoken to Larry Parks (City of HdG), Bob Ernst (Harford Co Economic Development), and Ed from Harford Sanitation. The end result was unsuccessful. At one point I actually put a small bag of plastic recyclables in front on my neighbor's house (before single stream came into effect). The recyclables were not picked up, and I received a hand delivered copy of the City ordinance I violated as a result."

Martin said he responded to Wagner's email right away, explaining he'd be glad to look into her concerns. And then other council members started replying as well.

"Emails were flying back and forth," he said, "we discussed it a lot, but I'm not sure what the options are at this point."

Martin and Dougherty are planning to meet Monday to discuss viable options.

Martin, who says he's a big supporter of recycling, said the issue also will be presented at the next Department of Public Works meeting, as a discussion point.

Martin proposed the possibility of a central drop-off location for commercial owners and tenants, although he hasn't yet discussed that with Harford Sanitation.

"There's a cost involved and we will have to deal with the haulers," he said, "but it sounds like something we can negotiate with them."

Van Gilder agreed with the notion that there is a solution for commercial and mixed use properties, it just has to be identified yet. 

"It's certainly not a dead issue," he said.