Iola City Council members agreed Monday to assist with an Allen County-led cardboard recycling program.
Council members voted 7-1 to purchase a container of some sort to help store the cardboard until it can be shipped; and voted 6-2 to help when it comes time to prepare the cardboard for shipment.
“It allows the county to run with the recycling program, and for the city to get involved without hiring additional staff,” Mayor Steve French announced.
Mitch Garner, the county’s director of public works, will oversee the recycling endeavor, French noted.
“I like the idea of us contributing to a small degree,” French said. “It doesn’t end up with nine or 10 bosses trying to tell them what to do. It streamlines the program.”
The proposal was developed, French added, after consulting with other counties, including Coffey, that have their own recycling program.
One of the prevailing sentiments from those consulted was to start small, French said.
“This definitely gives us a good starting point,” Councilman Jon Wells said. “We can expand on it if we need to. And the county’s taking the lead, which we asked them to do. I’m all for it.”
THE COUNTY’S cardboard collection site will be set up at the old EMS annex facility at 410 N. State St.
Iola will purchase a container, plus a carport or lean-to, to store the cardboard and protect it from the elements. Then, when it’s time to load cardboard for transport, the city will direct an employee to help with the loading, perhaps using a skid steer or other city equipment as needed.
Council members said they would rely on the county’s direction to determine what sort of storage unit to utilize.
Councilman Mark Peters cast the lone dissenting vote against purchasing the storage unit. He noted the local recycling effort will have a minimal impact on the Allen County Landfill because so many other counties bring their refuse to Allen County.
Additionally, Peters said other Kansas recycling depots in Pittsburg, Wellington, Douglas County and Emporia all were closing up shop.
“They’re not making it,” he said. “It’s not cost effective.”
He was joined by Councilman Jeremiah Ivy in opposing the city’s allowing an employee to help with loading the cardboard.
ALLEN County Recycling members Dan Davis and Steve Strickler both expressed appreciation that a new countywide program is in the works. (The recycling group has been pushing for a county program for years.)
