Grant Helps City Start Recycling Program

By Sue Bratcher

LEROY — Thanks to help from the state, the Town of Normal and its own waste hauler, the city of LeRoy will begin accepting recyclable materials in a new, 24-hour program.

Refuse hauler Allied offered a bin to collect recyclables once a month and Normal had agreed to accept LeRoy’s materials at its distribution center.

The problem? LeRoy had no way to get the materials to Normal.

That has changed with a $40,000 state grant that has allowed the city to buy a truck and two new containers that will be located at the LeRoy IGA, 203 E. Cedar St., and at the LeRoy Street Department, 410 N. Hemlock. St.

“This was important to do, because the current program wasn’t getting the job done,” said City Administrator Jeff Clawson.

The truck has arrived and concrete pads have been poured for the bins, which are on order. In the meantime, the town is telling residents how to recycle.

An informational flier on the do’s and don’ts of recycling will be mailed soon and copies will be distributed through the school system and at City Hall. The city program accepts paper, plastic, metal and glass.

“In order to make this new program a success, it is important that everyone follows the recycling guidelines,” said Clawson. “If you are in doubt whether or not an item is recyclable, throw it away,” he suggested.

Clawson hopes recycling will reduce the city’s garbage costs because LeRoy’s rate is based on tonnage and less will go into the landfill. But, he said, “even if we don’t save money, environmentally it’s the right thing to do.”