For the last several years, the City of Yuma has entertained the prospect of curbside recycling.

"Yuma's the last municipality this size in the state of Arizona that doesn't have it," said Derek Ruckman, general manager of Allied Waste Services for Yuma and Imperial Counties.

The Yuma City Council met Tuesday for their work session ahead of Wednesday's meeting to hear concerns and answer questions. Negotiations have not made it this far before.

One issue that has been a major concern for many people is whether there will be a fee increase.

"We hear all the time: 'It's going to cost us money.' It's not. I can't say that enough. It's not going to cost anyone any additional money. This program is going to be offered at the same solid waste rate that we all have today," Ruckman said.

Under this plan, Allied Waste Services would provide 21,000 recycling containers for single-family homes.

Instead of having two trash pick up days, Yuma residents would exchange one of those days for curbside recycling pick up.

"For the most part, our operational services will remain the same. We'll utilize the same trucks, we'll utilize the same personnel," said Joel Olea, director of field operations for the City of Yuma's Public Works department.

Another concern for residents--they are worried they will have trash overflow without that extra day for trash pick up.

But, Olea says that is resolvable.

"The recycling container is just as large as the green residential container," Olea said.

Part of this negotiation is that the City of Yuma would not be paying any additional costs. Olea and Ruckman say the City would instead gain money.

Allied Waste plans to make its profit from selling the recyclables. They plan to give 10 percent of the profits to the City of Yuma.

The council expects to make a decision Wednesday during their regular city council meeting at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers. If this contract is approved, the city estimates that Yuma could have curbside recycling by May.