Residents push curbside recycling, suggest monitored ‘mega‑site’ drop‑off

At the Circleville City Council meeting in February, residents urged the city to move forward with curbside recycling and explored a fenced, camera‑monitored drop‑off site that would allow residents to bring recyclables during set hours.

The idea was introduced by resident William Haddix, who said several other communities use small, monitored facilities and that grants exist to help pay for them. "When it was done correctly, nobody ever had the idea of, ‘I want it, but not in my neighborhood,’" Haddix told council, arguing the sites cut down on illegal dumping and let operators offer a small free‑exchange area for household items.

Why it matters: speakers linked recycling to long‑term county waste planning and local cost savings. Dave Horning, representing the four‑county solid waste management district that includes Pickaway County, told council that landfills are privately owned and finite and that recycling helps delay the need for new landfill capacity. "We only need 450 households in Circleville to sign up for this program," Horning said, describing that threshold as necessary to establish curbside service in the city.

Speakers described two complementary approaches: (1) a subscription curbside pickup service, and (2) a staffed or monitored drop‑off “mega‑site” open during specified hours. Haddix described systems that use unique passcodes or cards so operators can revoke access from anyone who dumps prohibited material; Horning said Ross County and Washington Court House operate comparable sites that track license plates.

Council and staff discussed enrollment mechanics and timing. A resident who said he signed up during the meeting reported that the provider did not collect payment immediately: "they did not act for payment because until they get the $4.50, they can't start charging anybody," Horning said, explaining the vendor holds payment until service begins. Residents and councilors also noted that existing community drop‑off bins would remain in place even if curbside service begins.

Council members and multiple residents encouraged neighbors to sign up to reach the reported participation target, and staff said the sooner subscription thresholds are met the sooner curbside pickup can start. No formal action was taken; the item was presented during the public‑comment portion of the meeting and will be handled administratively if and when the subscription threshold is reached.

Ending: Residents interested in curbside service were told to contact the vendor or city staff for enrollment information; council did not schedule formal legislation on the issue at this meeting.