Illegal dumping and homeless camping force Richland to close down recycling spot
A Richland recycling station has closed after becoming a dumping destination for tenants moving out of nearby apartments at the end of each month.
The city removed recycling drop boxes from its north Richland recycling station this week, saying the ongoing problem of dumped furniture and other garbage as well as homeless camping rendered it unmanageable.
The city advises residents to use other recycling drop-boxes in the city, to visit the landfill or to sign up for curbside recycling.
Curbside recycling is an add-on service in Richland used about about a third of the people served by the city’s garbage utility, said Pete Rogalsky, public works director.
Rogalsky said the north Richland recycle station operated without incident for years when it was in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven at Spengler Street and George Washington Way. The trouble began after the store decided not to host it anymore and the city moved the drop boxes to city-owned property to the north.
Customers may continue to bring their recyclables to the drop off spots around the city (See list below). The service is included in the city’s garbage rates.
Customers may also sign up for biweekly curbside recycling for an added $7.70 per month on top of the basic garbage fee. The service includes a blue garbage bin that is collected along with regular garbage, Rogalsky said.
Richland residents may recycle paper, cardboard and cans in the blue curbside cans, but not glass.
Mixed waste is taken to sorting plants where it is separated into its component parts. Broken glass can contaminate recyclables, rendering them useless.
Rogalsky said the city continues to accept glass at the drop station as a way of encouraging recycling. However, he encouraged dedicated recyclers to consider disposing of glass in their regular garbage. Unlike paper or metal products, glass is made from sand, which is neither rare nor valuable.
Recycling drop locations:
- Uptown Shopping center, southwest corner of Jadwin Avenue
- DTG Recycling, 1936 Saint St.
- Horn Rapids Landfill, 3102 Twin Bridges Road.
- Queensgate, 2990 Queensgate Drive
- South of Ace Hardware, 103 Keene Road.
Go to ci.richland.wa.us/recycle for updates and information about recycling.