After Independence County officials pulled recycling collection trailers from Batesville earlier this month, the county recycling program now says it will stop picking up cardboard and recyclables from city businesses.
In a letter sent to Batesville businesses dated Dec. 20, 2022, the Independence County Recycling program said due to recycling losses projected to top $450,000 in 2023, it will now be the responsibility of the City of Batesville to provide for cardboard and recycling pickup for city businesses.
The letter said it would be wrong to make people outside the city pay a higher fee to the county in order for Batesville businesses “that do not pay the county for service” to continue to receive county service.
According to the letter, the City of Batesville was to pay for four workers in the recycling program, yet the county said the amount paid in recent years was “…only about one-third of what four workers would cost,” and that the city has not paid anything since the last quarter of 2016.
A copy of state citation A.C.A. 8-6-211 was enclosed with the letter. Highlighted in yellow and partially underlined was the first section of the law which reads in part:
All municipalities shall provide a solid waste management system which will adequately provide for the collection and disposal of all solid wastes generated or existing within the incorporated limits of the municipality or in the area to be served…
(Scroll down to read the letter.)
The move was made after the Independence County Solid Waste and Recycling Committee examined potential budget cuts. One area examined was the collection and sorting of recyclable materials. Earlier this year, officials said cardboard was bringing over $200 a ton. In early December, the price was down in the $30 dollar a ton range. Now, the county says it costs about $180,000 to collect and sort around $44,000 worth of materials.
Commenting on social media, outgoing Independence County Judge Robert Griffin reiterated that continuing to pick up the items would cause county trash charges to increase significantly. He also noted that some individuals were dumping household garbage in the collection trailers, forcing the county to hire temporary workers as needed to help sort through the trash.
Griffin also said that dropping off recyclables at recycling centers in rural counties is a common practice.
“Those of us that recycle are in a minority on a day-to-day basis,” Griffin commented. “That is key to not tax everyone for the benefit of the few that do. The committee did due diligence, and I feel the right decision was made. I say that as one that does recycle and will be impacted as a citizen.”
In a story posted on White River Now earlier this month, Griffin also said that continuing to pick up in the city would be an expense borne by rural residents and cities for which the county provides a paid trash pickup.
In the same story, Batesville Councilman Tommy Bryant told White River Now’s Gary Bridgman that neither statement made by Griffin about the city concerning recycling and solid waste is correct. Bryant also said, to his knowledge, the judge has never approached the city about the two issues.
Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh also commented to Bridgman earlier this month, saying that he has been in conversation with incoming Independence County Judge-elect Kevin Jeffery. The mayor said he looks forward to working with Jeffery and ensuring the city and county both prosper.
Jeffery told Bridgman that the State of Arkansas demands that each of the 75 counties in the state provide a recycling program for its citizens.
“So we need to come together and do it efficiently as we can,” Jeffery said.
Griffin said the county would continue to receive recycling at the recycling center at 110 Environmental Drive. He said the county has offered the city the use of a compactor truck for $1 per year to use to provide for its responsibilities inside the City of Batesville.
The county’s disagreement with the city regarding recycling and solid waste fees has been a bone of contention for a number of years. In 2020, the county ceased curbside recycling pickup at residences.
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
