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Early returns on the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District's survey show county residents are in favor of a permanent household hazardous waste collection facility in the county.
And county residents are willing to drive to Warsaw to dump off their household hazardous waste.
"They want the household hazardous waste (drop-off site) and they would drive to it," said Marsha Eikenberry, SWMD director.
Household hazardous waste includes such items as leftover paints, thinners, pesticides, flammables, oils, pool chemicals and others. A permanent facility would collect those products daily, instead of once or twice a year.
Though only 172 surveys have been returned to the district, 96 percent said they were in favor of the facility. Sixty-nine percent said they were in favor of a permanent freon-bearing appliance drop-off site to get rid of old appliances. A permanent used tire drop-off site is favored by 73 percent.
The survey also asked if curbside recycling would be beneficial to Kosciusko County. Approximately 70 percent said yes for the county, 56 percent said yes for Warsaw and 58 percent said they would recycle more if curbside recycling was provided.
However, 52 percent of the surveys returned said they would not pay a small monthly fee to have curbside recycling.
"I don't think it's overwhelmingly against it," said Tara Stills, SWMD city advisory council chairwoman. "I think it's 50-50."
The district is collecting surveys until the April 12 meeting. Copies of the survey are available at the district's Center Street office, the Kosciusko County Health Department or at the Warsaw plan department.
In other business:
• The solid waste district board approved a change in the host agreement with Packerton Land Co., Claypool, and Allied Waste Industries Inc.
According to the district's attorney, Mike Armey, Allied did not want the contract to terminate every five years. Instead, Allied offered to increase the district's host fees every time they increase their gate fees.
Armey said with no termination period, the contract can be ended by either party with reasonable cause.
The board approved the change unanimously.
A host agreement is a contract between a solid waste district and the operators of a landfill that provides protections and benefits for both parties involved.
• Stills reported on the advisory council's meeting. She said the council has four goals for this year, including encouraging businesses to recycle, county composting, a facility for household hazardous waste recycling and to educate the public more about recycling.
Some of their action goals to meet their overall goals were discussed. Stills said they may spotlight businesses in the district's newsletter who recycle and how they recycle. Recycling bins will be better marked. The district may design their own mascot to promote recycling.
• The board is considering what actions may be taken against those people who misuse the recycling bins around the county.
Stafford Solid Waste, which handles the recycling bins for the district, has found garbage in the recycling bins. Only the proper recyclable products should be placed in the bins.
"They found some stuff in there from people who have garbage pickup," Eikenberry said.
• Winners for the Earth Day design-a-T-shirt contest were announced. First place is Jessica Luu, third grade, Harrison Elementary; second place is Leah Moore, second grade, Washington Elementary; third place winners are Brittany Cross, fourth grade, Mentone Elementary, and Thomas Friddle, fourth grade, Harrison Elementary.
The district board meets at 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month at 112 E. Center St., Warsaw. The advisory council meets at noon.
Members of the district board include Joe Thallemer, Kathryn Teel, David Delp, Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins and county commissioners Avis Gunter, Brad Jackson and Eddie Creighton.
Marsha Eikenberry is the district director. Sue Studebaker is the district's education coordinator.
