JUSTIN COOK The Roanoke Times

Mike Kanavel of Valley Curbside Recycling unloads recyclables into bins in a Christiansburg neighborhood.

CHRISTIANSBURG -- Gary Cope is a satisfied customer. So is Councilman Henry Showalter.

Both use the services of Valley Curbside Recycling and both talked about how much they appreciate the business during Tuesday's Christiansburg Town Council meeting.

Cope called the company, which started last February, a "godsend for the area," while Showalter added, "It's a huge convenience for my family."

Their comments came after a presentation company co-founder Jeremy Hart made to the council.

Hart and Ryan Stewart launched Valley Curbside Recycling to provide recycling in town and collected nearly 15 tons of materials from homes last year.

"We've proven curbside recycling in the town can work," Hart said.

His update came nearly a year after town officials discussed a curbside recycling study and agreed to give Valley Curbside time to get established. The plan was to analyze its progress in a year before taking further action on the study.

No action was taken on the study in Tuesday's meeting, but council members congratulated Hart on the company's progress.

Hart said the response from residents has been encouraging. When the company started there were about 20 customers. The number has increased, although he declined to say by how much.

The company now picks up items on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Hart said the expectations are to expand to Monday and Friday pickup days.

Another company goal is to collect about 40 tons of recycled material. The items accepted by the company for recycling include aluminum and steel cans, glass, plastics, paper and corrugated cardboard.

Cope, a town resident, encouraged town officials to do what they could to help spread the word about the company.

Hart said the company's Web site -- www.recyclenrv.com -- and word-of-mouth about the business have helped generate interest. He said it could also help to have a note about the company in town water bills.

Town Manager Lance Terpenny said the town could include information about the company on the town Web site but, to be fair, would need to list any other companies offering similar services.

Terpenny said he also is pleased to hear about the company's progress.

"I think it's great. I would love to see them expand and do all the neighborhoods in town," Terpenny said.