Recycling Compactor Is Down for Repairs

Monticelloans who like to recycle were disappointed this week when they went to the city’s recycling bin off Funderburg Drive to find it closed.

According to acting city manager Peggy Billerman, someone tried to pry the door off the machine. And, when it stopped working, people just started setting their recyclables outside the compactor.

It costs the city to offer recycling, but the residents said they want it. So, the city put in the compactor. However, it continues to be abused. The recycling bin is for recyclable glass, paper, plastic, aluminum, etc. It is not for household trash or items that need to go to the landfill.

Items that cannot be compacted because of size or material should not be placed in the compactor.

The Jasper County Landfill is open Thursday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and will accept items that do not go in resident’s curbside household trash containers.

The photo above shows the trash or hopefully, recycling, stacked at the compactor. It also shows a chair that should have been taken to the landfill.

The city will reopen the recycling bin when repairs are made and the mess is cleaned up. Unfortunately, city employees don’t really have time to clean up behind residents who leave their mess at the compactor. The city could be forced to stop offering the service if it continues to be abused, said Ms. Billerman.