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Recycling Drop-Off Service Expanded

Posted on: Tuesday, 19 July 2005, 15:00 CDT

EUREKA -- A program for developmentally disabled residents in Woodford County is expanding its recycling drop-off service in Eureka.

The Association for the Developmentally Disabled of Woodford County has added newspapers, magazines, books, chipboard, office paper, aluminum cans and used motor oil to the list of materials it will collect. The group will continue collection of cardboard, said agency President Keith McArdle.

The drop-off point for recycling materials is 200 Moody Street in Eureka.

The nonprofit agency funded with county and state money offers community living options as well as employment and training skills for adults with developmental disabilities.

"Most important to us is that it gives the people we serve an opportunity to do work that they enjoy," said McArdle. "It provides meaningful work for our individuals."

The group's cardboard recycling program has been active for several years, offering a free drop-off point in Eureka or doing collections throughout the county. It collects about 42,000 pounds of cardboard each month.

McArdle said the organization had collected other materials in the past. However, that service was eliminated several years ago for two reasons.

First, the agency chose to focus on subcontracting work for clients. Secondly, the market for recycled materials was weak.

"It was actually costing us money," said vocational services team leader Roger Crow. "We ended up paying to get rid of the stuff."

Now, however, the agency, which is the county's solid waste coordinator, will continue to collect such materials even if there is no market for it because it will give its clients work.

Crow said a few of the agency's clients asked if the recycling program could be expanded.

"It is a community service and a great service to our clients because they enjoy recycling. It is what they want to do," said Crow. "We have to practice what we preach. We can talk about work all day, but we need to get work in here."

To that end, the agency also would like to expand volunteer services it offers, said McArdle.

"Our clients want to get involved with the community. We want people to know if there are volunteer needs, they can contact us," said McArdle. "The people in the community can see them and can see that there is more to them than the disability."

Source: Pantagraph

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