An ordinance passed in 1998 by the Marshall County Commissioners for waste reduction and recycling was repealed Monday morning by the commissioners.
Marianne Peters, Director of Marshall County Solid Waste said her Board of Directors has discussed the issue for several months, the biggest one being that there are curbside haulers who are serving citizens in Marshall County but not offering recycling, which the ordinance requires.
Commissioner Mike Burroughs wanted to make sure the public is aware that when the ordinance was passed when the county didn’t have curbside recycling services. The ordinance mandated that companies collecting trash must also offer recycling services. He said, “Since this was proposed, a lot of changes have taken place as the public is already aware. We have companies out there offering services without recycling and those that offer recycling, there are some questions if they are actually recycling or not.” Burroughs clarified that the commissioners and the county are not against recycling, but it’s not enforceable. He said, “We don’t have recycling police there slapping a wrist or else.”
It was estimated that there are four companies throughout Marshall County picking up trash and recycling but several other companies are working in the county that don’t offer to recycle.
Peters said in the last 6-months she has seen people pay a higher price for waste hauling and recycling and at the same not being sure the services are being provided. She said, “People are paying high prices for a service that may or may not be happening. She told the commissioners, “There is no question that people want to recycle, and recycling is the future but at the same time, I don’t think people should have to pay for ineffective services either.” Peters went on to say, “We need to find a way to make recycling affordable and equitable and effective so that we are doing the right thing and diverting recyclables from the landfill. We need to do it in a way that is affordable.”
Commissioner Kevin Overmyer alluded to the fact that China use to take this country’s recycling and made products from it but that doesn’t happen anymore so it’s becoming an expense for Solid Waste and waste haulers to get rid of some of the items.
Peters wants the county to continue discussions on how to improve recycling in Marshall County.
Commissioner Stan Klotz said the county’s ordinance restricted some companies from bidding on trash hauling in the county and this will open it up for the communities who are struggling with their current providers like Plymouth. He’s hoping the competition will reduce pricing a bit.
The ordinance to repeal the 1998 waste and recycling ordinance was passed with the County Commissioners suspending the rules and passing it on all three readings. It will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
