New recycling site planned

<p>Local residents could have a new option for where to bring their recycling, but with restrictions to be sure the rules are followed.</p>
<p>The Johnson County Recycling District wants to open a monitored recycling site at the Johnson County Park, in the southern part of the county. If approved, the site would open next year.</p>
<p>Officials want to make sure this time that only items that can be recycled are left behind.</p>
<p>The county closed its six recycling drop-off sites across the county last month due to a significant increase in costs and continued issues with people dumping trash and other items that can’t be recycled at the sites. Residents have complained about the loss of the service, and officials have been looking at different options to offer some sort of recycling service.</p>
<p>The plan is to have the new site only open during certain hours, and that staff will be there during those times to supervise what is being brought in, said Jessie Biggerman, the district’s executive director.</p>
<p>They also want to add fencing and gates so people can’t get to the site when it isn’t open, she said.</p>
<p>By having that additional security, that should significantly reduce the amount of people dumping trash at the recycling site, which isn’t nearly as much of an issue at the district office site that has a similar setup, Biggerman said.</p>
<p>The county could also install cameras to monitor for any illegal activity, Johnson County Parks Department Superintendent Megan Bowman said.</p>
<p>Having the recycling site at Johnson County Park, located in southern Johnson County near Camp Atterbury, could also be a boost to the county facility by bringing in residents who may have never come there otherwise, she said.</p>
<p>When they drop off recycling, they can also see the features the park has to offer, she said.</p>
<p>The county is looking to have the recycling site in a secure area of the park that is used by maintenance workers and will be taking additional security measures to make sure their equipment is protected, Bowman said.</p>
<p>The service is one that is needed in the county, Johnson County Commissioner Ron West said.</p>
<p>Officials should continue with education efforts so residents know what they can and can’t recycle, Johnson County Commissioner Brian Baird said. And the county should still be prepared for people dumping trash, and should be sure someone will clean that up when needed, he said.</p>
<p>But residents also know that the county will close the site if there are issues, Biggerman said.</p>
<p>The Johnson County Park Board and the commissioners have both approved the plan, but park officials still need additional approvals before the site would be able to be added, park board attorney Roger Young said.</p>
<p>The goal is to open the site next year, Biggerman said.</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="At a glance" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>The county is looking to add a new recycling site after closing six drop-off sites last month:</p>
<p>Where: Johnson County Park, southern Johnson County</p>
<p>What’s new: The new site will only be open certain hours, and staff will be there during those hours to make sure items being dropped off are recyclable. Fencing, gates and possibly cameras are all planned to be installed to prevent illegal dumping.</p>
<p>When: The county park board and commissioners have approved the site, but more approvals are still needed.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]