Iola Rotarians have successfully kept tons of recyclable materials out of the Allen County Landfill over the past 26 years.
The effort — which started solely with paper, but eventually expanded to include cardboard, plastic, glass and metal — continued to grow as outlets to take materials were identified.
But with that expansion came additional need for helpers — all of them volunteers.
Now, after the announcement that the program has become too cumbersome for the Iola Rotary Club to maintain, an uncertain fate awaits the recycling program.
Rotary announced earlier this month it is discontinuing its recycling effort on Dec.18.
But rather than let the effort end altogether, Rotary members are eager to see another group, or entity, pick up the baton.
The Rotary Club will host a meeting at 6 o’clock tonight at Iola’s First Presbyterian Church to discuss options, and if anyone is willing to take the lead.
WHAT options await?
First, the bad news.
Peerless Products, which has allowed Rotary to use one of its loading docks for its recycling center on North State Street, needs the space by the end of the year, thus necessitating the Dec. 18 announcement.
So whoever continues the effort will need to find a new home to take the paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, as well as tin and aluminum cans, and to hold the Rotary’s trailer and cardboard baler.
But therein also lies the good news. Rotary owns the baler and trailer, two significant pieces of infrastructure necessary to keep the recycling project on track.
A survey of neighboring counties and communities found two other recycling projects of note.
A private company, Pittsburg Recycling LLC, provides curbside pickup for such things as glass, cardboard and paper, for $20 a month.
Their service extends from Pittsburg to Fort Scott and points in between.
