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Portage County reports higher recycling processing costs, declining weekday participation in events
Summary
County staff reported a $6.90 per-ton increase in recycling processing costs in May, a decline in weekday participation at electronics recycling events, and plans to consolidate events to Saturdays; 246 people dropped off 56,927 pounds of electronics at the most recent event.
Portage County staff reported recycling processing costs rose in May and that participation at weekday electronics recycling events has declined. Staff said they plan to focus future electronics events on Saturdays.
Site coordinator Amanda said, “In May, we're paying $6.90 more per ton to process our recycling, which is not normal for this time of the year.” She said the county saw 246 people at a recent electronics recycling event and collected 56,927 pounds (28.46 tons) of material.
Amanda said weekday events had lower participation and that — if the county receives another scholarship from Dynamic Recycling — staff would host only a Saturday event to concentrate turnout and reduce weekday staffing strain. She said staff began offering online appointments last year and that residents are using the scheduling option for hazardous waste collection.
Board members spent time discussing contamination in single-stream recycling and the limits of consumer labeling: one board member said the public often assumes a resin code or “recyclable” stamp guarantees collection. Staff noted contamination has reduced the quality and value of paper and other recyclables.
Amanda also reported that an after-hours household hazardous waste event is scheduled for June 4 and that the county conducts an agricultural hazardous waste event every other year.
