The city has a goal of 75% landfill diversion by 2010 and said a construction and demolition debris recycling ordinance passed in 2006 is helping push the percentages higher each year, the city said.

"By requiring builders to recycle debris from construction projects, we were able to divert tens of thousands of new tons of material away from the landfill," Newsom said. "Clearly, mandatory recycling measures pay off."

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Jim Johnson at 937-964-1289 or jpjohnson@crain.com