WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
St. Joseph County officials are considering an agreement with a neighboring county regarding year-round disposal of household hazardous waste.
During Tuesday’s executive committee meeting, county administrator Teresa Doehring said St. Joseph County is interested in working out a deal with Kalamazoo County, allowing St. Joseph County residents to dispose of household hazardous waste and recycle electronics at Kalamazoo County’s permanent site, near its county fairground property.
Doehring said demand for such a service appears to be greater than what is afforded by what the county offers every spring and fall at its fairgrounds-based collections.
Doehring suggested the county offers $5,000. Funds would be taken from that amount every time a St. Joseph County resident brings items to the recycling and collection center in
Doehring also suggested the county consider trying such an arrangement through the end of the year and evaluate in early 2024 whether it was a success and worth it.
Commissioners are expected to act on the matter during their monthly board meeting Tuesday next week.
Why doesn`t waste management provide this service? Why doesn’t every county household get a free dump pass like some townships do? And why the heck should our county residents have to go an hour or more into another county for a service every county should provide?
Marty, hazardous waste guarantees more dangerous environmental damage than regular trash. It requires special handling and measures to neutralize its dangers. This makes it more expensive and there are fewer safe spaces available for such treatment.