Now that curbside recycling is free, DeKalb residents are embracing it.

In the first three months since the $30 fee was eliminated, more than 6,400 new subscribers have signed up.

The county dropped the sign-up fee with a Sept. 26 vote from the Board of Commissioners. It is now seeking 40 percent participation of the 159,000 eligible households in the next four years.

Through Dec. 20, 25 percent, or 41,231, of households were using curbside recycling, up from 34,800 when there was a fee.

Billy Malone, director of the county’s Sanitation Division, said they are averaging 15.5 pounds of reusable materials each week.

He is encouraging residents to take advantage of the free recycling service.

“There are no more reasons not to participate anymore,” he said. “Everyone needs to do their part in recycling.”

Malone said that throwing away recyclable materials is a waste.

“I hope more DeKalb County residents will add curbside recycling to their list of New Year’s resolutions,” he said in a Dec. 20 statement.

The Sanitation Division has a comprehensive waste reduction plan and an aggressive goal to reduce landfill disposal of solid waste, increase recycling, and divert tonnage from the Seminole Road Landfill.

Residents can sign up for blue recycling bins, bags and instructions at www.DeKalb

Recycles.com.

Once the application is received, Sanitation workers will deliver the bins, bags and information to subscribers. Residents also can stop by the Sanitation Division Administration Office at 3720 Leroy Scott Drive in Decatur to fill out the application form and take home the recycling materials.

Additional bins or blue bags are available for $15.

For more information, visit www.DeKalb

Recycles.com, e-mail sansanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov, or call 404-294-2900.