Union County Council reviewed the recycling compactor proposal from Wayne Union Recycling (WUR) and Rumpke at its June 16 meeting.

Dr. Ron Itnyre, WUR president and Indiana University East environmental science professor, provided council with background information about WUR. State law requires every county or waste district to have a recycling plan in place. WUR provides information about recycling to the community through its website, waste-not.org, and through its educator, LuAnne Holeva. WUR board is made up of nine members: one seat appointed by the mayor of Richmond, two seats for the Wayne County Commissioners, three seats for Wayne County Council, one for Union County Commissioners, one for Union County Council and one for the Town of Liberty. Most recently, Union County has been represented by council member Jim Hensley and commissioner appointee Jim Crouch, Liberty's seat has remained vacant for years.

WUR is funded by tipping fees at the Richmond landfill. Expenses include part of Holeva's salary and supports recycling efforts in unserved parts of Union and Wayne counties. While some cities offer curbside recycling for residents, those without can deposit their recyclables at transfer stations. In the case of the Union County transfer station, all fees incurred for recycling are paid for by WUR. 

The past few years, Union County has collected approximately 38 tons of recyclables in dumpsters serviced by Rumpke. On average, those 38 tons have been hauled in 42 trips, less than one ton per dumpster. Those costs total approximately $18,000 per year. Union County pays those invoices and is reimbursed by WUR.

Rumpke municipal and public sector account manager Dean Ferrier explained by utilizing a compactor, each of those dumpsters could be loaded with around four tons of recyclables, reducing the number of trips to 10. The compactor would be leased from Rumpke for $372 per month. Despite the cost of the compactor, the reduction in transportation fees would bring the cost of Union County's recycling program down to around $9,700.

WUR would cover the compactor lease, as well as continuing to pay for transportation fees. The only cost to the county is site preparation expenses such as a concrete pad and electric service. Ferrier noted an existing pad at the transfer station could potentially be used.

Council asked a series of questions regarding the safety features and operation of the unit. Ferrier replied the system could be configured with different options to meet their specifications, whether the unit is available to be used by the public, used under the supervision of the transfer station attendant or even to be used only by the attendant.

Council vice-president Richard Blank asked about the costs of the concrete pad and electrical service. Itnyre replied those costs are not yet known. Ferrier noted the commissioners have already agreed to seek quotes.

Crouch informed council Richmond Recycling has requested an opportunity to provide more services to the county. Richmond Recycling currently provides a trash compactor, waste metal and e-waste services at the county transfer station. 

Also discussed:
-Council held a public hearing regarding the recent tax abatement for planned updates at NSK Corporation. No comments or objections were presented from the public.