County proposes one recycling dropoff

Union County Board of Supervisors proposed Monday to have only one recycling drop-off site as a way to lower the costs and still provide the service. Supervisors did not take any action on the proposal as it is expected to be on their Nov. 25 agenda.

Union County has two recycling locations, one on Creston’s west side near the intersection of U.S. Highway 34 and Cromwell Road and another in Afton. A contract signed earlier this year with Waste Management for recycling services is an estimated $33,000 a year, plus an expected 10% annual increase. The bins are typically emptied twice a month. Since the contract agreement, supervisors have been considering how else to offer recycling but at a lower cost.

Supervisor Dennis Hopkins explained the proposal would have recycling bins only at Prairie Solid Waste, 1774 Lark Ave., about five miles east of Creston off of U.S. Highway 34. The proposal would have three bins for cardboard and one for all the other typical recyclable items; tin cans, glass, plastic and paper. Hopkins said the proposal is estimated to cost $18,000 a year, considering other factors. He said he expects Waste Management to add annual increases to the proposed contract.

The county did not have a proposed date to start as additional discussions are needed with Waste Management.

Hopkins said recycling at the landfill would only happen during hours the landfill is open. The site is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the weekdays and 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Hopkins said one benefit of having recycling at the landfill is landfill staff will be able to monitor the use of the recycling bins.

“It would be on as needed basis,” he said. “Landfill employees would monitor and call Waste Management and have them come pick them up when they are full, not picking up half loads or quarter loads or whatever we are getting charged for.” Hopkins said he is optimistic full bins would be emptied within 24 hours of Waste Management being contacted. He would like more efficient use of the bins; having a bin full before using another another aspect that can be monitored by staff.

The location may not be ideal for all, he said.

“It would make it very central,” Hopkins said as the landfill is near the center of the county. “But for some people it will be farther away. For others it will be closer.”

Lark Avenue from the highway to the landfill is a steep hill, causing problesm for some vehicles and limiting access.

Hopkins is optimistic landfill staff will be able to monitor how the recycling bins are used preventing items that are not to be left or items left on the ground beside the bins. The county has been charged by Waste Management for picking up items left on the ground. Hopkins represents the county on the Prairie Solid Waste board and he said the rest of the board is in favor of the proposal.

Prairie Solid Waste is a drop off site for trash from Adams, Taylor, Union and Clarke counties. The trash is eventually hauled to Metro Waste Authority East Landfill east of Des Moines.

“I understand the people who will be upset. From a county perspective and a taxpayers’ perspective, we need to be financially responsible, frugal. I think it’s a much wiser decision,” Hopkins said.

In other county news...

Secondary Roads Superintendent Al Hysell said he is researching purchasing new boxes for two dump trucks. He is not able to find used trucks and the wait for delivery of a new truck is about nine months. It had been closer to two years. A new truck is about $300,000, something that may be considered in the fiscal year 2026 budget.

The boxes are about $18,000 and are expected to be ready for spring. He said the trucks are in mechanically good condition.