Burning rules updated by Libertyville City Council

LIBERTYVILLE ? The Libertyville City Council recently updated the city?s burning ordinance to reflect Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommendations.

Libertyville Mayor Michelle Stump explained the updated ordinance bans several items from being burned, such as buildings, demolition materials and hazardous or combustible chemicals.

The updated rule also states Libertyville residents cannot burn any items that can be locally recycled, such as cardboard, plastic, metal, junk mail, glossy paper, magazines and newspapers.

?With the passing of the new burning ordinance, we would like to remind you that you should be recycling magazines and newspapers,? said Stump. ?Although you may not be adding to the volume of our landfills by burning these items, you are releasing dangerous toxins into the air we breathe.?

Stump reminded residents of other items they should be recycling: empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls; aluminum foil, ?like from baked potatoes or what you used to cover leftovers?; plastics, such as medicine, vitamin, spice, cosmetics and condiment containers; packaging from pasta, rice and other foods; paper and Styrofoam containers from take-out meals.

?Recycling is free with your monthly charge for garbage collection,? said Stump.

The monthly garbage collection rate in Libertyville will be increasing from $9 to $10.80 beginning Wednesday.

Stump explained the increase was necessary because the city was spending more for the service than it was collecting from residents.

For the complete article, see the Monday, June 29, 2009, Fairfield Ledger.