The Wildcat Solid Waste Management District is weighing short-term and long-term options to keep recycling services available in Clinton County after Clinton Central Schools announced plans to stop staffing its long-running recycling center at the end of June.
During a recent district meeting, board members approved routine business items, including meeting minutes, claims, and an updated salary ordinance, before turning their focus to what officials described as the most pressing issue: the future of the Clinton Central Recycling Center.
Clinton Central Closure Raises Concerns
District Director Joel Freeman told the board the school corporation’s decision would leave a significant gap in local recycling capacity, noting the unexpectedly high volume handled at the site.
“They’re sending at least 24 boxes a week, if not upwards of 40 boxes a week out of that little recycling center,” he said. “Twenty-four pallets is a semi load. So you’re talking between one and two semi-loads a week… it’s a lot.”
The facility, which has operated for years, is currently maintained by school staff. The school board indicated it would allow the site to remain open if the solid waste district provides staffing.
Joel said losing the site without a replacement plan could overwhelm other locations.
“If it shuts down, then where’s all that going to go?” he said. “That facility’s probably been open going on 30 years now, and it’s obviously a heavily utilized facility.”
Short-Term Plan Through Summer
Board members agreed to a temporary approach: the district will attempt to staff the Clinton Central site beginning July 1 and continue operations at least until the board’s next meeting in August.
“I think you do it until our next meeting and see how it goes,” one board member said, suggesting the trial period would provide better insight into staffing needs and workload.
Freeman acknowledged the plan will stretch current resources, potentially requiring staff to split time between locations.
“If one of us goes on vacation or gets sick… one of them is going to probably get put on the back burner,” he said, adding that hazardous waste services would take priority if staffing becomes limited.
Long-Term Options Under Review
The board discussed several longer-term strategies, none of which have been finalized:
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Applying for an Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) recycling grant of up to $100,000 with a 25% local match.
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Expanding recycling capacity in other communities, such as Mulberry.
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Purchasing and deploying roll-off containers at alternative sites.
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Exploring fee-based recycling options.
Joel said the grant could help fund equipment such as roll-off containers but would require a sustainable plan beyond the grant period.
“It sounds like it’s mainly for a startup project that you’re going to continue with in the long term,” he said.
One proposal discussed would involve placing roll-off containers at strategic locations and hauling materials several times per week. Estimated annual costs for hauling and disposal could reach around $20,000, in addition to equipment expenses.
However, board members noted challenges with that approach, including overflow, illegal dumping, and site maintenance.
“You always have junk outside,” one member said. “I can’t imagine [Clinton Central] just saying, ‘Hey, let a dumpster be there and you come in and dump it and take off.’”
Funding and Staffing Challenges
Officials emphasized that any solution must fit within the district’s existing tax-supported budget. The district has not increased its tax rate in years, even as costs have risen.
“We have to work within the confines of what that is,” a board member said. “It may not be the most ideal option, but it has to be the best option with what resources we have available.”
Hiring a full-time employee to staff a recycling center could cost an estimated $80,000 to $90,000 annually with salary and benefits, making it a significant long-term commitment.
Joel also raised concerns about introducing user fees for recycling services, noting potential unintended consequences.
“I think that encourages people to just… [dump illegally],” he said. “A lot of stuff would end up in the ditches.”
Community Input
A county resident who attended the meeting urged officials to pursue a long-term solution and suggested revisiting the possibility of allowing county residents to use the City of Frankfort’s recycling site for a fee.
“Someone who’s passionate about recycling like myself… we really like to see a more long-term solution,” the resident said.
Officials acknowledged the suggestion and said they would explore options with city leaders.
Other Business
In his report, Joel highlighted recent district activities, including:
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Repair and recertification of a backflow preventer.
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Routine maintenance of fire suppression systems.
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Shipment of two loads of electronics for recycling.
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A May 2 electronics collection event in Mulberry that gathered 3,314 pounds in four hours.
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Continued collection of vaping devices from local schools, filling a 15-gallon drum and starting another.
The board also approved minor corrections to the district’s salary ordinance, updating pay period dates to 2026.
Next Steps
The district plans to:
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Begin staffing the Clinton Central Recycling Center on July 1.
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Apply for an IDEM recycling grant before the June 26 deadline.
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Explore partnerships with other communities for additional recycling sites.
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Reevaluate operations and long-term strategy at its August meeting.
Officials said the coming months will be critical in determining whether the district can sustain current recycling services or will need to restructure how those services are delivered across the county.