By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green residents kept 40% of their trash from going to the landfill by recycling items last year. That is higher than the national average of 34%, according to a report compiled by city sustainability coordinator Amanda Gamby.
The report was presented to City Council Monday evening by Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter.
Last year, city residents put 5,078 tons into their garbage bins. They also scheduled 611 large item pickups, including 98 mattresses.
As for recycling in 2019, curbside recycling added up to 687 tons, and items taken to the BG Recycling Center 24-hour drop off added up to 1,183 tons.
The contamination rate – of garbage being put into recycling bins – was 15.38%. That compares to the national average of 15%.
Public Works Director Brian Craft said the level of contaminated items in the city’s recycling loads may go down since more items are being accepted by Republic, which the city now contracts with for recycling.
“It’s an ongoing battle for education all the time,” Craft said of efforts to make citizens aware of which items are accepted for recycling.
“I’ve heard nothing but good things,” Council member Sandy Rowland said of comments on the new service accepting more items like glass and more varied plastics for recycling.
Brush pickup, which residents must now call to schedule, took in a total of 385 tons last year. Two additional brush collections were offered last year due to heavy storm damage. The brush is taken to the county’s yard waste recycling facility at the Wood County Landfill. There it is ground into mulch, which is available to residents for purchase.
Leaves and other yard waste are also collected and taken to the county yard waste recycling facility, where they are turned into compost material. The curbside pickup of leaves last year added up to 778 tons. The yard waste taken to the city’s drop off site totaled 346 tons.
Christmas trees were also collected and taken to the yard waste recycling site, where they are turned into mulch. Last year 389 trees were collected.
The city provides “Recycle Coach” as a tool for residents. It is available on the city’s website and can also be downloaded as an app. The “What Goes Where?” tool provides a searchable database directing residents to proper disposal or recycling locations for items such as televisions, household hazardous wastes, paint, plastics, electronics and common recyclables.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, council member Neocles Leontis questioned the amount of money being requested from the city by the Wood County Regional Airport Authority. Leontis suggested that the airport should look for other revenue streams – such as landing and take off fees.
Council voted to pay the airport the annual amount of $30,000 – the same amount paid by the Wood County Commissioners. It was decided that the matter of future payments would be discussed at the upcoming goal setting meeting on Feb. 15.
Also at the meeting, Mayor Mike Aspacher issued the oath of office to two Bowling Green firefighters being promoted – Terry Busch to captain, and Dustin Bauman to lieutenant. Fire Chief Bill Moorman praised the firefighters for their commitment to their craft, and thanked their families for being so supportive.
In other business at Monday’s meeting:
- Aspacher formally presented the resolution to Dick Edwards, declaring him mayor emeritus of the city.
- Downtown BG Director Tony Vetter reminded citizens of the Chillabration being held on Friday and Saturday.
- Council learned a meeting on the Community Action Plan’s tax increment financing will be held March 18, at 6 p.m., in the Simpson Building.
- Council was reminded that a joint meeting between council and the planning commission about the zoning code study will be held Feb. 11, at 6 p.m., in the Simpson Building.
