March 29, 2024

Recycling bin at Hy-Vee to be taken away April 26

The recyclables collection bin located at Hy-Vee in Osceola is often filled to the brim.

By the end of April, it won't be there at all.

During a Feb. 5 Osceola City Council meeting, Ty Wheeler, city administrator/clerk, said the city was approached by Clarke County Landfill Commission for a regular contribution toward the cost of the recycling trailer located near Hy-Vee.

Overall, it costs $1,400 per month to keep the recycling bin in use. A contribution request was $1,000 per month to keep it going.

During a March 26 joint meeting of the city council and landfill commission, it was stated the commission voted to pull the bin from the Hy-Vee location. It will be gone by April 26.

Curbside, for now

"Again, we're trying to get people recycling curbside, and I know the (curbside) bins aren't good right now, but those will be upgraded," Wheeler said. "And, in the meantime, Waste Management does accept additional recyclables. I mean, oftentimes, I have to put a box right next to it. So, they will take more than just what's in that little bin."

The city is looking into implementing single-stream recycling for future waste collection.

Currently, the city has a waste-collection contract with Waste Management that ends in September.

The city is rebidding the waste-collection contract for the fall. There has been interest from other businesses wanting to have the contract for Osceola's waste collection.

At the meeting, there were concerns about city businesses or organizations that have relied on the recycling bin at Hy-Vee.

"It is going to be an inconvenience to a lot of us who have grown accustomed to it, and thank you to the landfill commission for having it there," said Bill Trickey, executive director of Clarke County Development Corporation.

There are two recycling bins in the county, located in Woodburn and Murray.