Recycling On The Ropes?

Site misuse could lead to closure if unchecked
By Ken DeLaat

We all like the idea of recycling correct? You minimize your trash while maybe reducing your  carbon footprint for those out there who believe that such things are part of our stewardship of old Mother Earth.
The Newaygo area  recycling site exists due to the generosity of Brooks Township for providing the space, the county of Newaygo for funding the program and the kindness and patience of neighbors who live near the site and endure the times when irresponsibility reigns in the name of misguided environmentalism.
Unfortunately this ongoing irresponsibility is placing the site at risk of falling to the same fate as the Fremont site that closed a year ago.

“If the bins are full and you throw your stuff on the ground that is literally a littering violation,” said Brooks Township Supervisor Corey Nelson. “ It not only hurts the cause but it hurts the city that we operate in. No one wants to have floating recyclables in their yard or street.”
“This has also become a issue with commercial business using it and leaving the bins so full that it has been almost impossible to keep it clean. It was never intended for commercial for profit business, it was provided for our constituents.”

Recycling is expensive and does not pay for itself. Not even close. It is a service provided by the county and supported by funding from the county and the Fremont Area Community Foundation. While every very effort is made to maintain the bins and keep the site in some sense of order there are times when the input overwhelms these efforts.
This site is also operated on the honor system with the hope that citizens will use a little common sense when it comes to recycling.
For instance:
The responsibility for your material  does not end when arriving at the site so if there is no place to put it in a way that does not involve cramming styrofoam into the shed when the bags are full  or stacking material outside the bins, then the option is to take it back and return later, not leave it for someone else to deal with.
Cardboard was once was placed in a separate bin, but now GOES IN THE DUMPSTERS!
STYROFOAM  is removed as a courtesy. There are no other styrofoam drop offs in the county.
See the guide at
http://www.cartright.net/Blank.html

“The county has busted their butts trying to keep this important service here,” added Nelson. “We feel the however if things don't change it will go away. We cannot have something meant for good violate simple city ordinance (law) because people abuse the site.”
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​And there you have it folks. With a little effort we can continue to enjoy this valuable service.
If not?
“We understand people want it,” said Nelson. “The question I would ask is, will the actions of few ruin it for the rest of us?”