Dubois County Waste District experiencing growing pains
Dubois County Solid Waste District (DCSWD) Director Toni Lubbers wants more people to recycle, but with an increase in recycling she’s running out of room at the current location. The DCSWD shares space at the city old Jasper Landfill on 350 west. The center was almost destroyed last year in the February 28th tornado that ripped through the area and tore a roof off one of the buildings.
Lubbers says they have a new building now but there’s still not enough room. She has to turn customers away because they cannot accept certain kinds of items for recycling due to not having the room or way to handle them at the current location.
“It’s (the need) is big and it is going to get bigger,” Lubbers stated. “The residents of Dubois County want to recycle. They call me all the time with questions about what to do with certain recyclable.”
Lubbers presented to the board the fact that she is out of room and that she would like the board to find another location for the Solid Waste District with a greater focus on recycling. Things like e-waste -electronic waste – old computers, unwanted TV’s, and other electronic devices- are growing as disposed items.
Lubbers wants a material recovery facility where she can collect and store recyclables like cardboard and other items until she has enough to get good prices for bulk quantities. That will require a facility with enough space to handle short-term storage and some equipment to aid in the recycling process.
Recently a few members of the County Council and County Commissioners toured the old Dubois Rural Electric Cooperative building to consider it for a new location for the solid waste district. The garages attached to the property were attractive but the office space would be under-utilized by the county. REC is asking $550,000 for the property.
Waste District board President Greg Kendall is concerned about the department getting bigger. He views the acquisition of property and a greater role in recycling as an expansion in the local government and he pointed out shouldn’t be competing with businesses that already do this type of work. He brought with him a 20-year plan that was implemented 18 years ago and said that an expansion does not fit into that plan.
Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz said that it might not be a good idea to depend on the 20-year plan due to the fact that things have changed so much.
Lubbers was joined by board member and County Commissioner Larry Vollmer in saying that a stronger presence for recycling is needed due to the demand and environmental responsibility.
A discussion ensued about various properties in the Jasper area that can handle the operations. Kendall said that he would visit a few to see what would best serve the needs in the recycling area. The issue will be revisited in the March 5th meeting of the DCSWD.
Prior to the discussion on recycling the DCSWD elected new officers for the year. President is Greg Kendall, Vice President is Randy Fleck and Secretary is Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz.
In many larger cities, they contract out recycle collection and processing to companies who do this for a living. I would hope the county and city of Jasper would research this option too, just to know how much it would cost for a outside company to handle the county/city.
Jasper has a place to take e-waste for recycling. I don't know what it's called but you go East on Sixth and cross the railroad tracks. Afterwards you go right and it's the far building.