Officials with the West Central Iowa Solid Waste Management Association are asking citizens in its service area to fill out a survey to help keep garbage costs lower. The surveys, they say, are a critical component of the Association’s effort to “Reinvigorate Recycling” in the area. The West Central Iowa Solid Waste Management Association works as a partnership with Carroll, Crawford, Guthrie,ShelbyandCalhoonCounties.
Shelby County Engineer Dan Ahart says the Association has seen a drop in recycling and looking to see why. Ahart says the drop in recycling has been so dramatic that garbage rates could see an increase if they fall even farther because the DNR requires 25 percent recycling. If it drops below 25 percent, consumers will pay an extra $1.20 per ton buried. Ahart said that’s around $70,000 for all customers.
He says one of the reasons for the drop in recycling from consumers is the amount of garbage generated since 1988. The Association has taken quite a bit out of the landfills, including tires and appliances because the cost to consumers.
The survey takes about three minutes to complete on-line. Residents can take the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FR5F6S9. Businesses can fill out the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B89H7B6.