Several area businesses and industries are bringing recyclable materials to the KC Depot. It is a practice that will have to stop.
The Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District's executive director, Sue Studebaker, and the district's contracted vendor, Jim Stafford, had a difference of opinion regarding who could take advantage of the collection bins.When Stafford read from his contract during Tuesday's waste board meeting, the document clearly stated only materials generated from households would be accepted.
"We can handle everything, but when everyone in the county brings things, it's too much," Stafford said. "For example, Union Tool brought six yards of boxes and they weren't broken down. Biomet brought glass vials."
Diane Stafford said the collection bins behind the Depot were being emptied twice a day during the week and at least once during the weekends.
"We've been at this for 10 years and its always been my understanding that it's a residential-only service. You told Osborne Manufacturing that it's OK for them to bring boxes here," she said.
Studebaker said she does encourage small businesses to bring small amounts of recyclable materials to the depot. "You won't sell them a cardboard container unless you pick up trash, too," she said to the Staffords.
Jim said Stafford Solid Waste offered the containers, and there were two other companies that also offered them.
"Don't advertise or encourage anything that's not in the contract," said board member Ernie Wiggins.
Board member Ron Truex said businesses should find their own cardboard recycling service.
The board approved the posting of Residential Only signs at the Depot collection area.
The board also:
n Heard office assistant Shanae Dodier is leaving and Faith Osborne will replace her April 30. She will work with Dodier for a few days.
n Heard Studebaker will attend the North America Hazardous Materials Managers Conference in San Diego, Calif.
Studebaker belongs to the conference's steering committee and advised the board a Great Lakes area chapter is planned to include Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio waste districts.
n Reminded the board that environmental week will be April 21-28. The Depot will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. those eight days.
Board members are Brad Jackson, Truex, Bob Conley, John Kinsey, Wiggins and Craig Allebach. George Clemens was absent.
