By Bob Dodd

It’s official: Cape Elizabeth has adopted mandatory recycling at the Recycling Center.

At its June 8 meeting, the Town Council voted unanimously to enact ordinance changes that include one intended to discourage the disposal of recyclable items in the hopper at the transfer station.

The proposed new ordinance adopted by the council reads, “No recyclable materials may be placed in the hopper at the transfer station at the Cape Elizabeth Recycling Center.”

The new ordinance goes into effect July 8.

To assist residents with questions regarding the new ordinance, a part-time recycling educator will be stationed at the center.

“This will save taxpayers tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Town Manager Mike McGovern.

The new ordinance is based on a model developed by ecomaine, the solid waste cooperative of which Cape Elizabeth is a member. Mandatory recycling was the re-commendation of the council’s recycling working group.

The amended ordinance also states that individuals are no longer allowed to salvage recyclables from the recycling bins unless they have approval. The Swap Shop is not affected by this restriction.

The new ordinance was approved after a public hearing on the proposed changes. Only one resident spoke, and was in favor of the change.

Council adopts agreement making Cape a ‘Cool Community’

At the June 8 meeting, Cape Elizabeth received a framed certificate designating it as a “Cool Community.” The presentation was made by Joan Sax of the Maine Partners for Cool Communities, a program of the Maine Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Carol Hubbard of the Cool Cape community initiative was also on hand to make the presentation.

The town achieved the Cool Community designation by implementing many of the recommendations of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement adopted in Chicago in 2005. The intent of the agreement is to urge federal, state and local governments to adopt policies and programs to reduce global warming pollution levels to below 1990 levels by 2012.

The council unanimously endorsed the agreement at the meeting.

Hubbard noted that Cape Elizabeth had been proactive already in implementing many of the policies and programs recommended by the agreement which includes carbon reduction goals.

Hubbard said that the Cool Cape initiative has been providing educational activities to residents and schools to help achieve pollution-reduction goals.