[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6285003,"mediaKeyId","2576177-00690723cb465b81eae9563590202cea","parentId",2576177,"title","Keep Cobb Beautiful reports awards, new pop‑up drop‑offs and county recycling rollout","audioSeconds",1481,"startMs",1551000,"endMs",3032000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576177-00690723cb465b81eae9563590202cea&start=1551&end=3032","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576177-00690723cb465b81eae9563590202cea/thumbnail_1551000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6285003/Cobb-County/Georgia/Keep-Cobb-Beautiful-reports-awards-new-popup-dropoffs-and-county-recycling-rollout","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285003-9672de1b3e3cacf9fc219248daa900a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140362&Signature=GRONPPAvKTt5cUMwyJPuWNqi7LZlN47RuuTNGojfwCel~Fcs4kZJQbEh8zXcIUkrnl3db~TZl3cYyvVSQ8sWKRy-7t0-vICjn~XSv62En1bnL~Bg8~ry~j5iIRliNBPnOfJ2sY1b9lxo90841jRLUikUYQm3G3vPjaAsp1n73PqMoQrTRI4pTHHoBU-utcyJS5CRXR~mxp8ld9b2y-bdBSZ~PkZB4oXctcvifckUI3JJI4xZ6L8xESmJAJtOXNFoNRIPWWo0P0hQFpovcumZsIGdDew0~ntncFBQDxte00upym3uhBnHJXaU7VH~COTIbcX-8MhqWgI24rndeitxpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-12T20:38:16.017Z","article","Kimberly White, chief sustainability officer for Cobb County, presented the authority with a summary of Keep Cobb Beautiful programs, recent awards and new recycling initiatives on March 11.

White said the county’s litter index improved from 1.71 to 1.54 between the previous report and 2024 (a lower score indicates less litter), and the county aims to reduce litter by 25% by 2026. She said Keep Cobb Beautiful won national recognition: the Keep America Beautiful President’s Circle Award and the National Recycling Innovation Award for its pop‑up drop‑off program.

The pop‑up drop‑off program uses county trucks and trailers to tailor temporary recycling collection at events and locations across the county; White said partners include Kennesaw State University, Kroger shopping plazas, Habitat for Humanity and the parks department. She also described the Hefty Renew program (phase five countywide) and Ripple Glass glass drop‑off locations.

White said county recycling ambassadors are piloting a building recycling program across floors in the county building, with paper and single‑stream collection and a campus naming contest to be revealed on Earth Day. She listed upcoming events including the District 4 community cleanup on March 29, a community recycling event at Jim Miller Park on April 12, medication disposal on April 26 and a sustainability expo on April 30.

White thanked county partners and said the county is pursuing solar on closed landfills, EV charger reactivation at library sites and a cross‑department sustainability committee. The presentation was informational; commissioners asked clarifying questions about glass recycling and senior home beautification outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cobb County Solid Waste Management Authority Meeting - 03/11/25","oneSentenceSummary","Kimberly White, Cobb County chief sustainability officer, outlined Keep Cobb Beautiful programs, reported litter‑index improvements and national awards for a pop‑up drop‑off program, and announced upcoming events and a new county building recycling pilot.","taxTitle","Cobb County, Georgia","taxId",3733,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6285008,"Smurfit WestRock reports merger, high throughput and higher county payments",707,1262000,1969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576177-00690723cb465b81eae9563590202cea&start=1262&end=1969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576177-00690723cb465b81eae9563590202cea/thumbnail_1262000.jpg","/articles/6285008/Cobb-County/Georgia/Smurfit-WestRock-reports-merger-high-throughput-and-higher-county-payments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285008-64c2855cc1516be9b4748119b7023e6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140362&Signature=o9Fr9hRv2DZ5HwISp3TfWYBHRRm6vuk2psIz8E2T4VlB10TbeUDyw8C77yrOQEdimDvi6MTkOGlJf95HCUoBpskxcf5G0oRz32AJosqvSQV0mBDXciQpjaTMQRXcen347hCloqR9JoKtfHeuJKcUXxOkihSISKQZXonEotV~4ErPeYwgTHQ3oA0y3afOGpPxO-UfgPeJqhAGkprKKm1Or~OTpDmmuXl7XsrRKwgZ~S6Vmt7RCXixX7E8aP4U3DHRRVAPi5bmV9hOJXzjt6z87hzdv11i0UCxSDd4Y1V91XrT5lNyKzX5yOXL8KHG9NEZJCYVd4GdaTol4kPS74iqLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Will Howard, general manager for Smurfit WestRock’s Marietta material recovery facility (MRF), told the Solid Waste Management Authority on March 11 that the plant posted strong throughput in 2024 and that corporate changes and market shifts are affecting operations.

Howard said the company formally merged with Smurfit Kappa on July 8, 2024, and is now operating as Smurfit WestRock. He described the Marietta facility as a single‑stream MRF that processes roughly 120,000–130,000 tons per year, operates about 40 tons per hour on its line, employs roughly 20 sorters and occupies about 226,000 square feet.

Howard walked commissioners through the plant’s equipment (Harris baler, IPS, optical sorters, AI pick robot, magnets and eddy current separators) and identified primary outgoing material grades: OCC (old corrugated containers), mixed paper, sorted office paper, PET, HDPE (natural and color), steel and aluminum UBCs.

Howard said fiber prices in early 2025 were below five‑year averages (for example, OCC around $80/ton, mixed paper about $45/ton), while HDPE natural commanded stronger prices. He told the authority that Marietta produced its best financial return to Cobb County in 2024 — roughly $399,800 — and that contractual rent terms changed in June (rent stepped from $5,000 to $15,000 in year 1, then to $17,000 and later $30,000 in subsequent years under the presented contract schedule).

Howard also highlighted safety, reporting a five‑year injury‑free safety record at the plant since June 25, 2019.

The presentation was informational; no procurement or contract vote was taken during the meeting.","Will Howard of Smurfit WestRock described the Marietta MRF’s equipment, tonnages and markets, noted a 2024 merger that created Smurfit WestRock and reported a best‑ever year of county payments approaching $400,000.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6285013,"GFL reports higher county payments, credits safety and line improvements",466,789000,1255000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576177-00690723cb465b81eae9563590202cea&start=789&end=1255","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576177-00690723cb465b81eae9563590202cea/thumbnail_789000.jpg","/articles/6285013/Cobb-County/Georgia/GFL-reports-higher-county-payments-credits-safety-and-line-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285013-a39e66a5db7c9b333f4e45c2851d013f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140362&Signature=ex3TokrmCnnNYmeAA7ROSHPeRc09qqTyMd4XbLthsQZRF7o6VH0Y6zUJ2SYThV~L57Izhku-Zh5CWeITR6qP4NA5sp44TQWMVKjhvOIsimZ3UqSPuPhbsvjg~QC-sZ7hgu5THpKKG-FqDrVJbbfyHJiClRnz4RWZVZqEkeLrfd3Yklxk9kdvVlULorxUGZxiQuGJdXJvWym5KyQmhjg6O5aanCWIK86inYa4gTKYiSb00vkuYF7gb7phcRgBYOEwOyx17ToZ-v-zchJX-9wpyO-d2WMHfmMwTyhDnQvtSM~tGaqgOW87wuzfxTquhuYifzONGSQSS6pipXEFeUenPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brandy Edwards, general manager for transfer stations at GFL, told the Cobb County Solid Waste Management Authority that 2024 brought higher throughput, increased payments to the county and safety investments at the transfer station.

Edwards said GFL saw an influx of commercial and out‑of‑county volume after a fire at the Douglas County transfer station. She reported that total payments to Cobb County rose by $34,228.54 in 2024, and that year‑over‑year recycling totals increased for most material types even though tires and used oil collections fell.

Edwards said the transfer station has focused on line management and customer flow. \"Safety first, service always,\" she said, noting the company added staff to help traffic flow and maintain a safer environment for employees. She also highlighted recycling gains: battery collection reached about 1.47 tons and paint recycling totaled about 948 gallons in 2024, and the transfer station has expanded concrete repairs funded through capital investment.

Edwards described recent capital work to renovate concrete at commercial hauler and metal recycling areas and said residential drop‑off concrete work is planned for the current year. She emphasized the staff’s long tenure and said positive customer feedback has increased after the operational changes.

No formal board motion or decision was recorded during Edwards’s presentation; commissioners asked questions and thanked staff.","Brandy Edwards, general manager for GFL transfer stations, reported increased payments to Cobb County, rising recycling tonnages and safety improvements driven by staffing and line changes after neighboring facility disruptions.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6285018,"TAG Grinding reports steady revenues, flags shrinking paper markets",518,289000,807000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576177-00690723cb465b81eae9563590202cea&start=289&end=807","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576177-00690723cb465b81eae9563590202cea/thumbnail_289000.jpg","/articles/6285018/Cobb-County/Georgia/TAG-Grinding-reports-steady-revenues-flags-shrinking-paper-markets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285018-0c2532d6fc4ecb2263554b260f4fe791/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140362&Signature=AVnehRwhjlIDfOUfy14FFyqqfNkLUAsuTULajZX5~eD6uJpgmKhRsJUgvQKSD82KzcmytUC0piRbCSA8na2BSW6b-qT97xmzae9EpObWuCYRRjsrqutMnKB3~HwsNNnJC-nSY85PAot7FyiOSTdTvfOe6g2lVkljoaaI3irfxeTtbrrjaNmq8Jpie1JG8yFO6F4ew9seiHrwn8QjdfmB3iTKe8suq9ryJ64MZNNUT1n4N~JN8LdSHjfyW9FgcSLJ7HaYuOeEBAUUC-1w6LcNt22XnHIgR9J7waKnijUgWnr1X~thI3pf0XE45XU7C-ssIcLJp~Whi5CX04~gFZ-ccw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mike Ellis, operations lead for TAG Grinding, told the Cobb County Solid Waste Management Authority on March 11 that the company’s 2024 operations were largely stable but that market shifts are changing how material is moved out of the county.

Ellis said revenue for 2024 was roughly $1.923 million — about 3% higher than 2023 even though customer counts dropped about 4% year over year. \"The customer count is down 4% even though the revenue's up by 3%,\" Ellis said, adding that larger, higher‑priced loads explain the discrepancy.

The presentation noted that revenue flowing to Cobb County from TAG Grinding rose about 26% in 2024. Ellis attributed that increase in part to a contract change that raised the county's share from 7.5% to 10%.

Ellis described operational details including variable monthly volumes (often driven by storms) and reduced activity in the facility dirt pit because of rain. He also said TAG Grinding paid Cobb County roughly $283,000 in 2024.

On markets, Ellis said paper and biomass markets in the U.S. have contracted: several southern paper mills have closed and production of certain pulp products has shifted overseas. \"Some of it is what they call fluff pulp ... it's largely moved to Brazil,\" Ellis said, and he said TAG will need to find new markets for material that previously left locally.

The presentation closed with Ellis asking whether commissioners had questions; none resulted in a formal action.

The authority did not take any formal vote related to TAG Grinding’s operational or contracting details at this meeting.","Mike Ellis of TAG Grinding told the Cobb County Solid Waste Management Authority that 2024 operations were broadly stable, with revenue up despite a modest drop in customer counts and a shift in markets for paper and biomass.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Keep Cobb Beautiful reports awards, new pop‑up drop‑offs and county recycling rollout

Smurfit WestRock reports merger, high throughput and higher county payments

GFL reports higher county payments, credits safety and line improvements

TAG Grinding reports steady revenues, flags shrinking paper markets