Dear editor,
Over the past two weeks we’ve seen a couple of articles about the Allen County Landfill and recycling — or the lack thereof.
The first concerned the problem of blowing trash at the landfill and the problems that causes. Once again, the problem was most likely light-weight and 100% recyclable plastic bags.
The solution this time was different from the last solution but the answer was the same — spend money on a solution that will mitigate a problem but not necessarily solve it.
This time, Allen County commissioners decided to spend $300,000-plus for a new hydroseeder that will spray water and fire-retardant on the top layer of trash. It will also reduce the amount of soil needed to bury said layer.
All well and good, I suppose, but couldn’t there be a better use for water in these dry times? I also seem to hear a lot about fire-retardant chemicals and their potential dangers. I hope that the new machine can conserve water and that the chemicals are non-toxic, what I read didn’t comment on that.
The second article was about a business that has promoted itself as a recycling business that targets tires, a needed service for sure. However, collecting recyclables and actually recycling them are two different things.
The tire recycler has been collecting lots of tires but not recycling them — to the tune of almost 2,000 tons of shredded tires going right into the local landfill.
The county is charging the tire recycler $5.50 per ton, a profit for the county of nearly $11,000.
But that profit comes at a cost of filling up of our landfill.
Meanwhile there is a faithful, hard-working group right here that actually does recycle. It’s called Allen County Recycling and it’s a not-for-profit entity that has existed for the past two years. We recycle all that can be recycled, even if it means holding it for two years while the prices rise to make it worth our time and effort. Even if it means looking for the companies and places that will take our baled recyclables.
We have gone to both city and county leaders asking for the resources, time, people — anything! — to help us make recycling more viable and available to Allen Countians. What we have received so far is pushback about the feasibility of recycling and how they can’t possibly be of help.
The only actual money we have received is from the city — a $500 credit on our utility bill — a gift that is very much appreciated.
But we have received nothing near what commissioners approved for the hydroseeder, which does nothing to address the root of the problem.
Thank goodness many continue to faithfully recycle because those efforts help keep our landfill from overflowing even more.
