City receives recycling grant

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by Amanda Harnocz

Reporter

Tallmadge -- The city received a $13,000 grant from the Summit/Akron Solid Waste Management Authority which will allow Tallmadge to participate in more recycling activities.

According to Pat Sauner, the city's director of economic development, the city will receive the grant in one month.

Tallmadge was eligible for the grant because of the agreement with the city's trash company. According to Service Director Dave Kline, the city's contract with Republic Services Inc. requires the company to pick up recycling around Tallmadge along with regular trash pick up.

Because of the requirement for the company to recycle, the city is qualified for grants to continue recycling programs within the city, Kline said.

While residents have the option of choosing their own trash hauler, Kline said he still highly recommends residents continue recycling, even if they are not using the citywide service from Republic.

City Council is currently going through the process of accepting the $13,000 grant and approving its usage. Council's next meeting is April 7 at 7 p.m.

Mayor Christopher Grimm said he would like to use the money to assist in implementing and supporting new and existing community recycling programs that assist the Authority in meeting the goals and objectives of the State of Ohio's Solid Waste Management Plan.

After Council approves the grant, the money will be used for three or four free recycling days in the city where paper shredding will be available in residential areas in the spring, summer and fall.

"If you have old bills, old checks, that kind of stuff -- things you don't know what to do with -- we will shred it on sight," Sauner said.

Sauner said it will cost approximately $10,000 for the recycling events already planned.

With the additional money, the city is preparing informative recycling flyers to distribute in the mail to all Tallmadge residents.

According to Kline, the city is already very active in recycling throughout the year.

Last year the city collected 22,000 pounds of paper, 2,535 gallons of oil, 468 tons of newspaper, 302 tons of plastic, glass and metal, 3,000 pounds of telephone books and 524 tires that were recycled, according to Sauner.

Also, the city does leaf composting and wood chipping which is then offered back to the residents for their gardens at a nominal cost, he said.

"I think it's incredibly important to recycle and participate in these programs," Sauner said.

E-mail: aharnocz@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3911