SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub (CRRH) will begin charging a fee on Jan. 1, 2026, for dropping off general recyclable materials. The Lower Price Hill facility collects items not accepted in curbside bins—such as plastics, metals, textiles and electronics—and has offered the service for free since opening in 2021.
Executive Director Chad Planner says the Hub has seen a 50% increase in materials this year, creating rising operational costs. Implementing a fee, he says, is necessary to keep the organization sustainable. “These funds will help us with processing the materials properly and free up our donations for what we think is our primary mission: outreach and education,” Planner said.
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The Hub operates several programs, including collecting supplies from food pantries, distributing donated shoes and pill bottles to nonprofits, and hosting electronic waste drop-offs in low-income neighborhoods—all aimed at keeping waste out of landfills.
Beginning in 2026, visitors will pay a $15 fee for unlimited drop-offs for one month, or can purchase a $120 annual “Hub Club” membership. A new check-in process will be added, but the drop-off system will remain largely the same.
Planner says accessibility remains a priority, noting interest in providing financial “scholarships” and exploring free access through the Cincinnati Public Library’s Discovery Pass program.