Closing of Rock Island's Drop-Off Recycling Centers - After Action Report
The Environmental Forum has taken RICWMA to task for their decision to close all 4 of Rock Island County's Drop Off Recycling Centers.
We have written letters and made phone calls, issued press releases, written a joint op-ed in the local paper, been interviewed on local television stations, and attended board meetings in an attempt to keep these centers open. We may not have been able to change their minds YET, but we have increased community involvement.
There were 25 people in attendance at the September board meeting, and they expressed heartfelt concern about this issue. The board appeared unwilling to revisit the issue at this time, which means nothing will be done until the next fiscal year. This is an appalling waste of waste. Because they backed out of their contract with Republic Services early, they wasted $5000 tax-payer dollars, and now 80 tons of recyclable material will be flowing into our landfills and probably our ravines EACH MONTH.
If you are a Rock Island County resident, please call 309-788-8925 to keep up the pressure. RI County residents are able to take their recycling to the Waste Commission of Scott County if they don't have access to curb-side recycling, and we certainly encourage that choice.
Lori McCollum