SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The Emmet County Department of Public Waste and Recycling announced that increased costs has forced the department to charge a fee for hazardous waste drop-off this year. Until now, the department has been offering the services free to Emmet County residents, while it used to charge a fee of $2 per pound for anyone outside of the county.

The County schedules hazardous waste collection events twice a year, as it doesn’t offer a means of disposing of materials such as lead and oil-based paint, mercury, pesticides and other chemicals otherwise. The events are held in partnership with a company that collects and disposes of the materials.

According to Noelle Behling, communication and education coordinator, the costs of the company that processes the hazardous waste have gone up sharply by almost 50% during the past one year, mainly due to rising gas prices and inflation. In order to continue offering the service without charge, the recycling centre has applied for a grant, the outcome of which will be known by May this year, Behling added.

Many people who participate in free events use to offer donations. However, these are inadequate to cover the cost to the department. The imposition of fee may not impact the participation rate, Behling hoped.

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