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Five years after establishing a recycling program for Kosciusko County residents, officials are thinking maybe it's time they do the same.
A recommendation to begin recycling its own waste paper is being considered after a request by an office worker and the Kosciusko County Solid Waste District.
If the program is approved, the county would join the vast majority of other counties that already recycle government paperwork.
District director Fiona Norris and Sue Gladieux, an employee of the surveyor's office, made the request Tuesday during the commissioners meeting.
The commissioners instructed the two to continue negotiations with Waste Management for a contract to pick up waste paper.
The commissioners' directive was approved unanimously, but they did express reservations.
Some worry about the confidentiality of paperwork that would be left outside for pickup. Norris said it would not be any worse than current conditions because all the paper is currently dumped into the trash bins.
County officials also questioned whether a cost would be incurred if the program is implemented.
Special bins for the paper would cost about $500, and the monthly charge would be about $46, Norris said.
Norris said most businesses naturally incur some startup costs with recycling, but is part of a worthwhile effort to preserve more space in the local landfill.
"I think it's something the government should do to set an example. You can't say 'Oh, you should recycle, but I'm not going to."
But commissioner Eddie Creighton went as far as to say the recycling should present a savings.
Norris pointed out that by recycling paper, the amount of the county's trash being hauled to the landfill could be reduced by as much as 80 percent. If that's the case, the county would not need as big of a trash container as it currently uses.
Kosciusko County established a network of recycling bins spread out geographically five years ago. The program includes glass, paper, aluminum and plastic.
Gladieux said she took it upon herself to make the proposal because she's a strong advocate of recycling.
The surveyor's office began collecting its own paper a few months ago, and has filled two large bags. Gladieux said that's probably a "drop in the bucket" compared to other offices.
Norris said she never made a proposal to the county because she isn't a county employee.
Kosciusko government is the only one from area counties that doesn't recycle at least paperwork, according to phone conversations with other county officials earlier today.
