RecyclingMonster - Springfield's recycling centers have been closed for weeks.
If you're conscientious about it, your bins of paper, plastic, glass and cans in the garage are likely already overflowing.
Erick Roberts has been hearing all about it.
"We are getting calls from several folks asking that question — when will the recycling centers reopen," said Roberts, superintendent of solid waste for the city of Springfield. "We are waiting on some hopefully forthcoming guidelines from the health department and council on steps to reopen in the near future."
Roberts said city, county and health department leaders might make a decision today on how to reopen various portions of the city, including the recycling centers.
"We anticipate that new order might go into effect Monday," he said.
Roberts said the city's free recycling drop-off centers handle upward of 4,500 tons of recyclable material in a year. Based on the calls he's been getting, he knows there's a pent-up demand for people to get rid of the recyclable stuff they've been hanging onto during the stay-at-home order.
"We definitely have tried to express our appreciation for people's patience with us," he said. "We're prepared to reopen, pending what the city and county health department says."
At the recycling centers, people unload their glass, plastic, paper, cardboard and metals and carry them to large steel bins. Roberts said maintaining social distancing could be problematic, because of the close proximity of the bins and the way vehicles pull in and park at the sites.
He wasn't sure if visitors will be encouraged to wear masks once the centers reopen, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging people to wear masks when they're out in public and can't adhere to strict social distancing guidelines.
Roberts said he anticipates the recycling centers will see heavy use when they do reopen.
The facilities closed on March 19 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. They include the Yardwaste Recycling Center, Lone Pine Avenue Recycling Center, Franklin Avenue Recycling Center and Household Chemical Collection Center.
Courtesy : www.news-leader.com
