Champaign to close recycling drop-off center : News : Smile Politely

Champaign to close recycling drop-off center

featured_post

Posted in NEWS to Champaign by Brenda Koenig on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 9:00 am

As part of a new recycling initiative in the city, Champaign plans to close down its popular Hagan Street recycling drop-off center on December 1st, leaving many county residents without means to recycle. According to Elizabeth Hannan, Administrative Services Manager at the City's Public Works Department, the closure would save the city $150,000 a year. And since upcoming recycling ordinances will be mandating that multi-unit dwellings receive curbside services (and since there is already an ordinance on the books in Champaign mandating curbside service to all single-family homes), the city feels the drop-off center will not be needed. In addition, Hannan tells me, this center is providing a service for people outside the city, people who don't pay city taxes.

In order to find out if this is indeed the case, and to find out more about how the closure would affect recycling efforts county-wide, I grabbed some bottled water, a pad of paper and pencil, and drove the few short blocks up to the center to spend some quality time next to the dumpsters.

What I found was surprising. First off, the place was hopping. During the weekday evening hour I was there, people of all stripes arrived in a steady stream from every direction, driving everything from late model SUV's to absolute clunkers. Everyone, even the most recalcitrant and suspicious, became animated and talkative when I explained I was doing a story on why people used the center and how they felt about its possible closure. They wanted to talk garbage. Many folks actually rolled down their car windows to tell me more as they were leaving. They wanted to vent.

At 6:22 p.m., a woman from rural Urbana arrives and explains that recycling isn't provided in her area.

At 6:24, Tiffany McNeely from Champaign tells me that she uses the center because she doesn't trust her hauling company's recycling effort.

At 6:26, Cheryl Weyhrich from Mahomet is earnest in her right to use the city's center. "We support the City of Champaign by shopping here all the time." To her, it is a small service in comparison.

At 6:30, Larry Holt from Rantoul arrives in his 1964 Volkswagen Beetle. "We used to have recycling in Rantoul until they took it away a couple of years ago...I guess people were dumping trash there." What if the center closes, I ask. Larry shrugs and says, "Well, I guess it will end up in a landfill."

At 6:34, a retired News-Gazette sports writer from Champaign arrives with stacks of newspapers. "I used to donate these to the Humane Society, but they require special ways of folding the paper and it takes too long."

At 6:37 a young college kid from Champaign brings cans and boxes because "Kleen-Way doesn't pick those up."

At 6:52, a Champaign resident explains, "It is just easier to do this ourselves."

At 6:54, a Mahomet man tells me that his hauler in Mahomet charges extra for recycling.

At 6:58, a rural Urbana man tells me that soon there will be a new drop-off site in Urbana. He also tells me that back on the east coast, in New Jersey, "everyone recycles. The entire state." When told that the city may close the site, he wonders if the County will pick up the tab. When I tell him that I just got off the phone with C. Pius Weibel, chair of the County Board, and there's no money, he says, "Oh, Bull! I know better."

At 7 p.m., a college student from Bloomington-Normal drops by and tells me the City of Normal doesn't pick up his recycling.

At 7:05, Erica Haack of Champaign stops and tells me that Kleen-Way requires too much special prep of recyclables. When told that the city plans to close the center she says, "Well then, people will just throw stuff away then. That's no good!"

At 7:11, Karen Olson arrives in a car sporting a Tea Party logo. She believes that more accountability is needed to ensure recyclables are actually getting recycled. "If government is subsidizing recycling, then there should be a governmental means to hold the hauler accountable." I nod to the Tea Party logo. She sees the irony and smiles. She also shares with me "word on the street" about which haulers are actually recycling. I thank her for the information.

At 7:19, a man from Gibson City tells me that his municipality only picks up on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays, so in-between, he brings recycling here. Like the woman from Mahomet, he also believes that since he buys here "and pays outrageous sales taxes" he should be welcome to use the center. He believes that if you want people to recycle, you have to make it available and convenient. This just isn't the case in Gibson City, he laments.

At 7:22, a senior citizen who lives "ten miles out" where there are no recycling services comes to the center. She tells me she just started recycling recently, but is adamant about continuing. She would even pay a small fee to use the center, she says.

At 7:26, a woman from Mahomet uses the center to bypass the recycling limitations of her hometown hauler. She hopes everything will be recycled properly. "If I take the time to recycle, all this effort, then I sure hope that there is someone making sure haulers are actually, in fact, recycling!"

At 7:28, a man from Champaign unloads his recycling because he's "not sure my hauler will take it."

At 7:29, a couple arrives from Champaign and doesn't want to talk. At first. Finally, they ask me if indeed it is true that the center will be closed down. I tell them yes, I think so. The husband then offers up this wisdom: Well now, perhaps the money saved by downsizing the county board can be used to subsidize this center. "Interesting idea," I say.

All in all, in the hour plus I was there, there were: 17 (actually more, but those were the people I was able to talk to) total people using the center. 7 were from the City of Champaign. 2 were from rural Urbana. 7 were from Champaign County and 1 was from outside the county. Many came because they had no service where they lived. Others came because their services were limited. Some came out of habit or lack of trust. But the fact remains that when the center closes, many of these people's recyclables will end up in the landfill.

Is there anything we can do about it? City Councilwoman Deb Feinen suggests that county government take a look at using money earned on hauler licensing fees to open their own drop-off center for county residents who don't live in a municipality that recycles. "Aren't these fees supposed to be dedicated to solid waste issues?" she asks. C. Pius Weibel of the county board maintains there is no available money, and he's not sure people would want to pay for the service. But things are changing, he says, perhaps the board can look at what other counties and municipalities are doing, and go from there.

24 comments

Paige

08/24/10 at 08:54

Is there someone we can contact to voice our concerns about the recycling drop off closing? I don’t know how I’ll manage without it.

Heather

08/24/10 at 08:16

This is ridiculous. I use this service regularly! My garbage removal company does offer recycle pick up but why pay even more to them when I live just a few blocks from this recycle site? Considering how much I pay in taxes and how little I get in return, this is ridiculous!

Brenda Koenig

08/24/10 at 08:39

I believe the first people to contact regarding your feelings about the closure of the recycling center would be your city councilperson. Some of the councilpeople are more involved in this issue than others, however, and will probably be more responsive. To find out who your councilperson is, follow this link: http://ci.champaign.il.us/city-council/contact-city-council/
In general, Campustown/S. Downtown, E. and N. Hessel Park area: Michael LaDue
N. Downtown, Central and North Champaign (north of Church St.): Will Kyles
West Central Champaign: Marci Dodds
SW Champaign: Gordy Hulten
NW Champaign: Kyle Harrison
There are also three “at-large” councilpeople, and they represent everyone: Deb Feinen, Tom Bruno and Karen Foster. Emailing Deb Feinen would be a good place to start here: DeborahFrankFeinen@ci.champaign.il.us
Also, you might want to check in with your county board person to let them know that you’d like the county to look into providing this service. Email countyboard@co.champaign.il.us

Carol Bradstreet

08/24/10 at 08:01

I, too, would gladly pay a small fee to recycle. Where else will it go? In the trash? In already packed landfills? What is the cost of opening a new landfill or incinerator when the current arrangements cannot accomodate us?
C. Pius Weibel needs to look at other alternatives rather than closing the recycling center.
Although I don’t live in Champaign, you can bet that I am going to look closely at the next election of county board members and consider their viewpoints on this subject. If any candidates do not support recycling and put their money where their mouth is on keeping some sort of center available to the public, they will not get my vote.
It is ridiculous that most of the county has to shop in C-U, pay their high sales taxes, and not get a basic benefit like this. Where IS all the money going???

Susan Monte (Champaign Co Recycling Coordinator)

08/24/10 at 08:17

Another recycling drop-off facility is the Allied Transfer Station (a.k.a. ‘Central’) located west of the north terminus of North Lincoln Avenue (west of I-74) at 915.W. Saline Ct. in Urbana. This facility has limited hours—Monday through Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm, plus Saturday a.m. hours.. Once I confirm Saturday a.m. hours with Allied, I will post that info with Allied, along w/a list of acceptable items for recycling drop-off.

Robert Knilands

08/24/10 at 08:19

At the risk of annoying people:
Is it really a good thing that people are driving from miles away to drop off recycling? Is there a net gain in resources by doing that?
I guess it’s possible they were coming here anyway, so the trip to the recycling bins is only a small detour.

Brenda Koenig

08/24/10 at 08:50

Thanks, Susan for letting people know about the recycling service available at the Allied transfer station…I’ve actually been out there and seen the recycling dumsters there! As these recycling bins are in a gated, privately owned property (thus the limited hours) they escaped my attention in this article. Of course, in my previous article I described my visit to the Allied facility, as well as my trepidation when a long-time Allied employee didn’t have any idea where the recycling was going once loaded in the Allied trucks from those very dumpsters. Again, this points to the need for an audit, and responsible oversight and enforcement of recycling services in Champaign County.

Paige

08/24/10 at 08:52

Thank you, Brenda, for keeping us informed on this topic. I have emailed the at-large council people and hope that others do the same. I just don’t think they can get away with taking this service away from us.

Klug

08/24/10 at 08:29

A nice bit of reporting—way to go, Brenda!

Mike .

08/25/10 at 08:03

#10

Good story and good reporting. In these tough economic times, I can see why Champaign city officials don’t want to subsidize a service used mainly by rural and small town residents to the tune of $150,000 annually.
People who are upset need to approach the Champaign County Board and those smaller communities and see if they can work together to fill the void.

Sarah

08/25/10 at 08:35

#11

It’s 2010, we have a responsibility to recycle.
Thank you for bringing this closing subject to light. It will be a huge step back if it indeed closes. Not a very “forward”, “green”, move for a university community that likes to think of itself as both of these things.

Grouchy92

08/25/10 at 08:49

#12

The sense of entitlement of these rural folks is pretty astounding. I’m sure that whatever paltry amount they pay in sales tax gets eaten up by maintenance on the roads they are driving on, the police that protect them while they are here and the fire departments that will come to their places of work if there is a fire. I wonder how many of them are pro-business, anti-government types, who believe the market knows all. Without government, the market says you should pay for all your recycling efforts, not steal services from a nearby town. The next time I buy gas in Mahomet, I’m going to demand that I get to use their high school gym whenever I want.

Besides, while recyling is a good thing, let’s not forget that it is reducing carbon emissions that really matters. Driving to drop off recyling is adding to climate change, not reducing it.

Elizabeth Hannan (City of Champaign)

08/26/10 at 08:37

#13

The City of Champaign will be implementing its multi-family recycling program starting December 1. At that point, all residents will have an opportunity to recycle where they live. We do not plan to leave any of our residents without an opportunity to recycle.
 
The multi-family program will include all buildings with 5 or more units, as well as shared housing like fraternities and sororities. All of these property owners have already received a letter from the City regarding the details of this program, or will receive one in the next couple of weeks. Basically, the City will provide carts for recyclables and will collect those materials for processing. (Yes, there is a modest fee for this service, which will be paid by the property owner.)
 
All licensed haulers are required to provide recycling to residents that live in a building with 4 units or less. There is no additional fee for this service – it is included in your fee for garbage collection. Staff will be asking Council to revise that requirement to expand the list of recyclable materials and require that they be accepted co-mingled (one container for all recyclables). 
 
If you live in the City and want to talk about recycling services please feel free to call me at 403-4778.

Debbie

08/26/10 at 08:02

#14

From the Town of Normal website: “The Town of Normal has drop-off boxes for recycling at various convenient locations around town open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If that college student is driving to Champaign to recycle, he’s wasting his time and money. For more information, go to www.normal.org. I don’t know how much it costs the town, but they have been doing this for years. Bloomington has curbside service and has for many years.

Lisa Kesler

08/30/10 at 08:29

#15

I am a rural Champaign county resident and have been dropping off my recycling at the center for years. I had no idea I wasn’t supposed to be using it! I didn’t see that information posted anywhere.
I understand that there have to be available funds to operate such a center. But if the true intent is to recycle as much material as possible, then closure should NEVER be an option.
Champaign residents, you are not providing a convenience to out of town residents. They already have the option of putting everything in their trash can. But they are taking the time and effort to drive all the way into Champaign because they believe, as someone in Champaign must have at one time, that recycling is an important, if not absolutely necessary, practice for the future of our environment. The City of Champaign has not been providing any kind of luxury or recreational diversion to out-of-towners. Up until this announcement, the city has been a PARTNER with residents and non-residents alike in a very important effort to recycle as much as possible in order to keep recyclable materials out of land-fills. As a former Seattle resident where recycling is mandatory and putting recyclable materials into your trash container results in a fine, I long ago established recycling in my household and now it has become a natural habit for all of us. I will not go back to putting cardboard, paper, plastics, glass and cans into the trash. It would feel the same to me as if I had thrown it into my neighbor’s yard!
The City of Champaign has acheived something they should be very proud of. They have made it possible for hundreds, if not thousands, of city and county residents to do their part in the recycling effort. Why would you want to discontinue such a successful program?
If money is the issue, has anyone looked into other ways to fund the program? Has the city considered issuing a sticker to place in the car window allowing access to the center? It could be provided free to residents while out of town users could pay a small annual fee. Perhaps neighboring communities and townships should be approached in a effort to form partnerships and alliances to help contribute to the cost. Obviously people are willing to drive a fair distance to recycle. So it isn’t necessary for every small community to have its own center. A central location in Champaign seems to be adequate. Why not seek contributions from neighboring communities whose residents use the recycling center?
The main point is, recycling is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Closure of the center should not be an option. County residents are willing to work at keeping the center open. Let us know what needs to be done, but please don’t close the center.

Lisa Kesler, Champaign County

Lisa Kesler

08/30/10 at 08:48

#16

In response to Grouchy92:
I don’t think the rural folks feel a sense of entitlement at all!! You have no idea how appreciative they are that they have been able to use the center up until now. If anyone had asked them, the majority would probably have offered to help pay for it in some way. There is literally NO PLACE ELSE to take recycling in Champaign County that I am aware of. And there are only a couple of companies who offer rural trash pick-up. I have contacted them both and neither will pick up my recycling. There is nowhere else to go! If the center closes it will literally end up in a land fill or piling up in people’s garages. Many people, like myself, would feel environmentally irresponsible and just plain wrong putting their recyclables into the trash. So where do we go? If the city and its residents are truly dedicated to the recycling effort, then I hope they will offer some alternatives instead of simply giving up. It will be a giant step backward in the effort to encourage everyone to recycle. We teach our kids about recycling in school. Let’s practice what we preach. Let the rural residents know what needs to be done and give them a chance to join in the effort to keep the center open and available to everyone.

Robert Knilands

08/30/10 at 08:27

#17

It sounds as if you should direct your concerns toward the Champaign County Board, aka the most dysfunctional board of its type in the nation.
Perhaps if the ISWDA had not tried to locate a recycling facility in wetlands a number of years ago, there’d be county recycling now.

haulers

09/02/10 at 09:42

#18

I would be interested to hear more about the “word on the street”—how are individual hauling companies fulfilling their promise to recycle?

Laura

09/06/10 at 09:54

#19

I live in a housing community in a part of Urbana that is not considered within the city limits. The garbage company the community uses does not take recyling; therefore, I have used the Hagan St. facilities for two years. When it closes, I would like to know what my recyling options are because I hate the thought of throwing away papers, bottles, cans and plastic. I also know two Champaign residents who have used the Hagan facility for several years. Please keep us updated with any new information you learn.

Robert Knilands

09/06/10 at 09:23

#20

Not to be a broken record, but you, too, should complain to the county board. If you want recycling, and the county is not providing it, then that’s the place to direct the complaint.
For far too long, the county board and the city councils have focused on idiocy like prairie grass sculptures along Cunningham Avenue. If you are not getting what you want in terms of important services, then those groups seem to have lots of time and money on their hands. Make them do what they should be doing.

Debbie Campbell

09/12/10 at 09:01

#21

I do use my curbside recycling, but the only items they accept are steel cans, aluminum, and plastics #1 & #2. I visit the Recycling Center at least twice a month and have never been there alone (by that I mean, that in my span of dropping off my recycling, at least 2-3 other people show up with theirs too!) How disappointing. I’m going to be contacting my city council member.

Thanks for the info.

Green Purpose

10/11/10 at 10:02

#22

If you are interested in discussing the issue of recycling in CU please join us at our monthly community meeting tomorrow night at 6pm in Enterprise Works in Champaign, sponsored by Green Purpose, LLC. More info here:
http://the217.com/events/view/2010/10/12/16478
www.reuseanomics.com

vertigo912

11/01/10 at 11:29

#23

We have created a Facebook group to mobilize and SAVE the recycling center in Champaign! Please look for us on Facebook under:
Save Hagan Street Recycling Drop-off

Smokie

03/18/11 at 03:01

#24

A well kept secret is the drop off site on N. Lincoln Ave. in Urbana. Open M-F until 3:30.

Add A Comment

A note about our commenting policy.

Commenting has been disabled on this post. We only allow comments for 30 days.

Most Recent News Comments

I love the Guitars

Posted by wilsonwasher23 to the entry 'SP Radio Podcast: Drew Phillips, Uncle John and local bluegrass on 02/03/12.

Hi my name is Harry Huffman, professional speaker…. keynote humorist and above all story teller. I have also been a ballroom dancer, competitor and instructor over 45 years.I’m looking to get on the story telling circuit or radio. Can you give me some advice. Thank you. My web site http://www.speakdance.com

Posted by harry huffman to the entry 'SP Radio Podcast: The art of storytelling on 01/27/12.

Man, I cannot wait for these four records to be released by Parasol/Hidden Agenda - seriously great music for them to be working with. Thanks for letting me hang out in the studio and see you at the party…

Posted by Lisa B-K to the entry 'SP Radio Podcast: Parasol Records enters the next phase on 12/14/11.

Rob, I’m slightly confused about the media player you are referring to.

Posted by John Steinbacher to the entry 'SP Radio Podcast: Illini Football season in review on 11/30/11.

I’ve looked at this page with two different browsers, and four different operating systems. I’ve decided that the embedded media player is just plain busted.

Posted by Rob McColley to the entry 'SP Radio Podcast: Illini Football season in review on 11/30/11.

$100K for a toy house? No wonder my taxes are killing me. http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/solar-decathlons-rainy-start_594112.html

Posted by Justsayin to the entry 'SP Radio Podcast: Architecture as a tool for change on 11/15/11.

You’ll be delighted to know that the entire remainder of Urbana is low income housing. Also no income housing.

Posted by Rob McColley to the entry 'Mixed-use development to be built in Urbana on 11/12/11.

Will there be low income housing? Thought not. Class warfare is on!

Posted by OccupyUrbana to the entry 'Mixed-use development to be built in Urbana on 11/12/11.

Don’t feel so good about this business. It’s the worst I’ve ever dealt with. The office staff is terribly rude, childish, and belligerent toward customers. Requests to speak with a supervisor are refused. Before thinking about using this company, check their rating with the Better Business Bureau…

Posted by Hugo to the entry 'Is your recycling being dumped in a landfill? on 10/08/11.

Just a point of correction. The vote was 7-1. Councilman Faraci was not present. What I find interesting on this “non-partisan” council is that those most often interpreted to be the “liberals” on the council, felt it necessary to excuse themselves and hum and haw to…

Posted by Josh Hartke to the entry 'With ordinance upheld, Gerard and CCHCC have fences to mend on 10/03/11.

News Archives

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

Most Recent Comments

Nope. It’s the back (east) side of Urbana Tire Company at 202 S. Vine. How much is a hug and kiss worth? Do I have to take them all at once or can I break it up?

By Dave to the entry 'Boing Boing props up Urbana graffiti "artist" on 02/07/12.

FACT: Silverfish feed only on carbohydrates, such as starches and sugars. They will not consume proteins or fats (the main materials from which human beings are constructed). THUS: That was not actually a human waiter we were conversing with, but rather a lifelike simulacrum created from semi-digested Fruit Loops.

By fruit_loops to the entry 'The Fifty Flip Experiment on 02/07/12.

nice fishnets you’ve got there, dan!

By secret_admirer to the entry 'The Fifty Flip Experiment on 02/07/12.

is that illini auto on main?

By isaac arms to the entry 'Boing Boing props up Urbana graffiti "artist" on 02/07/12.

The geniuses at the News-Gazette site have it all figured out. This happened because we don’t have the Chief!

By Q-Tips to the entry 'Politics play in Illini loss to Northwestern on 02/06/12.

Pamela - Are the roasteries in Seattle as clean as CSR? It always disturbs me a little that it is so clean in there.

By Brian to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/06/12.

Now you will be able to munch on pizza and shrimp cocktails in downtown Urbana (whilst a DJ spins?) after your dissolution of marriage http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/features/its-your-business/2012-02-05/its-your-business-new-pizza-place-downtown-urban Is this a franchise of a Reno pizza joint, or just a coincidence of name? http://www.blackrockpizza.com

By JPSherrill to the entry 'More C-U restaurants come and go on 02/06/12.

Signs someone is “fishing” for a factual anchor: 1. Starts call to radio with: “I’ve been an Illini fan for (XX) years” or “I’m a diehard fan,” as if somehow that unverifiable claim will justify the 5 minutes of B.S. that follows. 2. Makes reference to KenPom…

By Q-Tips to the entry 'Illinois bad, MSU worse, Izzo terrible on 02/06/12.

That’s what she said.

By kiel to the entry 'Illini pull out an ugly one on 02/04/12.

Black dog and Siam terrace is where I always go after my divorces.

By Ryan to the entry 'More C-U restaurants come and go on 02/04/12.

Love CSR. Apart from making my way through the regular roasts in 1/2 pound increments, I also like to pick up some of the little sample packets of the flavored stuff for when the lady and I feel like getting crazy. Sticky Bun is pretty nice.

By Mike Ingram to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/04/12.

If you happen to be getting a divorce, or fighting a DUI prosecution, downtown Urbana is a great place to eat.

By Rob McColley to the entry 'More C-U restaurants come and go on 02/03/12.

HUUUUUUGE fan of their Black Velvet roast…It makes up about 75% of my coffee intake. LOL CSR is definitely one of those Champaign institutions that I brag about to people not from here. :-)

By Mertz to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/03/12.

We like CSR too! We french press at home and I leave the lid off while it steeps—letting the ground beans bloom. Then, like in your tasting, I scoop off the top layer before pressing. We really need to invest in a burr grinder though, as I…

By Kirstin to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/03/12.

Confidential? In this state? Hahahahahahahhahahaha

By Not_again. to the entry 'LGBTQ participants needed for research study on community involvement on 02/03/12.

just confirmed: there will be white russians served. the art abides.

By isaac arms to the entry 'Weekender: February 3–5 on 02/03/12.

big lebowski at the art. mark it, dude.

By isaac arms to the entry 'Weekender: February 3–5 on 02/03/12.

There’s a great video promo out for “Company” too: http://vimeo.com/36077847

By Lindsey to the entry 'Weekender: February 3–5 on 02/03/12.

Wow, His Majesty took the time to answer your polite plea. It’s been a while since I spoke fluent arrogance, but allow this attempt at a translation: “I deeply regret the embarrassment…” = I wish we hadn’t got caught and it wasn’t a big deal really. “...and…

By Local Yocal to the entry 'An open letter to University of Illinois President Michael Hogan on 02/03/12.

I love the Guitars

By wilsonwasher23 to the entry 'SP Radio Podcast: Drew Phillips, Uncle John and local bluegrass on 02/03/12.