Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale has signed a contract with Allied Waste to provide biweekly curbside recycling to Helena citizens.

Council member Cris Nelson said Allied Waste is shooting for a start date of Jan. 1.

Nelson said participation in the program would cost $6.79 per month. The city already has a list of about 1,000 people who are interested in participating.

“We’ve had very favorable response. People are excited. They’ve been patiently waiting for well over a year. They’re excited to see it come,” Nelson said. “We’re hopeful that once the program does get started and (citizens) see neighbors with their recycling bins, we’ll get more citizens to start the service.”

Residents participating in the service will be allowed to recycling No. 1 and No. 2 plastic, paper, aluminum and tin products.

The public recycling bins near the sports complex on Ruffin Road will be removed as soon as the curbside recycling program begins.

Allied Waste will send out notices to citizens soon about participating in the program.