County reminds citizens of approaching recycling shift

With Christmas this week and the expected surge of cardboard and and food packaging that can be recycled, Union County Board of Supervisors remind citizens the recycling bins will be at Prairie Solid Waste after the holidays.

Supervisors are receiving all signage to inform citizens of the relocation of the bins from Afton and Creston sites to the landfill located east of Creston on U.S. Highway 34.

Even if all the desired signs are not ready by the week of Jan. 6, the scheduled date for the new location to be put to use, supervisors encourage residents to not leave items outside the bins if the bins are full. The goal is for one cardboard bin to be filled before using another to limit costs to empty the bins.

Because of growing costs related to recycling, supervisors this fall approved to consolidate the Afton and Creston sites into one. Recycling bins will only be available during the hours of operation for Prairie Solid Waste. It is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.

The recycling bins are intended for Union County residents as the city of Creston has its own recycling program. Union County has regulations prohibiting the dumping of trash along county roads and ditches. Union County may file charges if evidence leads to whomever left the garbage.

In other supervisor news...

Union County was informed by Rachel Cecil from Heart of Iowa the need for a mental health advocate to replace the advocate who is retiring. A person in Adair County has told county officials of their interest. An advocate informs the public about various mental health issues and supports legislation that benefits mental health. Cecil said more retirements of advocates are expected in the near future.

Supervisors approved $24,990 for a new electric panel for the generator for the courthouse. The panel will be paid for with American Rescue funds.

Supervisor Dennis Brown was not in attendance.