Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Recycling topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve recycling salary reimbursement and glass-recycling planning grant
Summary
Lawrence County commissioners unanimously approved two recycling-related resolutions on April 27: a Section 903 grant that will reimburse about half the county recycling coordinator's salary, and a planning grant application to expand public education, update cameras and formalize a permanent glass-collection program.
Lawrence County commissioners on April 27 approved two resolutions to support and expand local recycling operations, including a salary-reimbursement grant and a county planning grant to grow a permanent glass-recycling program.
Jerry Zona, the county recycling representative, said the annual Section 903 grant (proposed resolution 63) "reimburses the county for half of the expenses associated with my salary, benefits, travel, and so forth." The board moved and approved the resolution by roll call. Commissioner Sanado, Commissioner Kennedy and Commissioner Ro recorded votes in favor.
Zona also presented proposed resolution 64, a planning-grant application the recycling office would use for continued public-education campaigns, replacement and technological upgrades to surveillance cameras at recycling sites, and to expand glass-collection containers at county and municipal sites. "This equipment was actually purchased through a 902 grant," Zona said in reference to prior purchases, and described plans to add camera systems that can be monitored via cellular service so staff can view live activity.
The glass program will route collected material through a local bunker in Hermitage and on to Cap Glass for sorting; mixed-color glass will then be sent to Owens-Illinois to be remade into new bottles, Zona said. He described the bins as a permanent program and noted the county and partner municipalities will combine collection points and haulers to improve cost-efficiency.
Commissioners asked about resident access and drop-off logistics; Zona said residents may use the new county containers or regional sites, and that some haulers already accept glass depending on local contracts. He added that the county's prior glass pilot and a touring visit to processing facilities informed the proposal to make the program permanent.
The board approved the planning-grant application by roll call. Commissioners Sanado, Kennedy and Vogler recorded votes in favor. Zona said the expenses proposed under the grant would be phased over two to three years if funded, and that the county will continue to coordinate with neighboring municipalities for haul and processing agreements.
Next steps: staff will submit the planning-grant application to the Department of Environmental Protection and, if awarded, begin phased equipment purchases, public-education outreach and installation of additional glass containers.
