Allen County will start small with a recycling effort, with commissioners offering to set up a cardboard collection spot at the landfill.
Commissioners directed Mark Griffith, road and bridge director, to find some sort of container to hold the cardboard. Then, it will be taken to Coffey County’s recycling center.
Commissioners still need to verify their plan with Coffey County and work through the details, so it is not yet known when the new program might begin.
Still, it will be a significant step toward recycling for the county after two volunteer-led efforts ended. Iola Rotary Club ceased its recycling program in 2021 after 30 years. Allen County Recycling formed immediately after to fill the void, but that group announced in late September it would cease operations after asking county and city leaders for help.
Recycling advocates continued to press for a county- or city-led — or combined — effort.
Chairman David Lee and Griffith visited Coffey County’s recycling center to learn how it works and get advice about starting a program here. Lee said they recommended “starting small” with just two or three recyclable items.
Coffey County has a large facility that collects numerous items, with several staff. They pick up items throughout the county, and residents also can drop things off at the center.
It’s not a money-making effort, Griffith noted. Much of Coffey County’s revenue comes from aluminum cans. In Allen County, Ray’s Metal Depot collects aluminum.
Among the suggestions in previous discussions, commissioners debated the value of setting up a recycling bin at the landfill or another location. Collection bins would be designated for specific items, such as cardboard, newspaper, glass and plastics.
Commissioner Bruce Symes said he is concerned that people might toss other items, and a county employee would need to sort through each bin. He worried it might require additional personnel.
“The beauty of the landfill is we’ve got people who can keep an eye on it,” Lee said.
The county also would need someone to drive the recyclable material to Coffey County. They did that for years for Rotary’s recycling program, Symes said. And years ago, the county hauled newspapers to a recycling center in Wellsville. At least Burlington is closer, Symes noted.
Commissioner Jerry Daniels said he preferred to start with cardboard, see how it goes and then consider adding another type of recyclable material.
“I’m all for making an attempt,” Daniels said. “Everybody’s got all these ideas and no solutions, and it appears no one else wants to help.”
Actually, Lee said, two Iola Council members have approached him in the past week to discuss how to coordinate efforts. A group of about 20 recycling advocates attended the Iola Council meeting last week.
