EPHRATA - Ephrata residents can participate in a survey to evaluate the idea of curbside recycling in the city.

The survey is available online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/7N9RRKZ and at Ephrata City Hall, located at 121 Alder Street SW. 

The city council examined starting a curbside recycling program for the past two years, according to the city's statement. The discussion led to a November decision for the city to start a survey on curbside recycling.

 Staff are interested in discovering whether people support recycling, if they use the Alder Street recycling center and what options for recycling they support, City Administrator Wes Crago said at the November meeting. The options listed on the survey range from continuing with the recycling station at no additional cost, to yard waste being collected every other week at an estimated additional charge of $16.

"Additionally, the council desires to listen to citizens compare recycling to other important programs, such as utility improvement, recreational facilities, and public safety programs," according to the city's statement. "This survey is merely one method to give the city council information, but it will not be the only method used."

City officials plan to hold public hearings on starting curbside recycling in the fall. Also people can contact city hall at any time, according to the city's statement.

"There are limitations of a primarily web-based survey.  It is an effective means to assess the opinions of residents who have access to the Internet," according to the city's statement. "Resources were very limited in 2011, and the costs of a widespread mailed survey were unacceptable. Our online survey is free, as is the time-consuming statistical breakdown and evaluation process."

For more information, contact Ephrata City Hall at 509-754-4601.