When you operate on a shoestring budget, an unplanned expense can create big challenges.
Such is the case with Henry County Industries, a local recycling service. Recently, a baler broke that the location uses for paper and plastic. As a result, the recycler no longer accepts any type of plastic and only shredded paper.
Many in the community who regularly drop recyclables at 516 N. Price Lane in Clinton will either need to throw away the items or find another location in a different city that accepts plastic and paper.
“The expense to fix the baler is beyond the budget at this time,” said Carley Ross, director. She said the estimate to fix the equipment is $9,000 and could be higher if other problems are found when repairs are made. However, if funds become available in the future, the baler could be fixed, she added.
Henry County Industries “is a sheltered workshop for people with mental and physical disabilities,” Ross said. She noted the workshop relies solely on recycling for its income, which includes a contract with local business PLZ. The employees’ jobs are matched to their abilities, so not everyone can complete the contracted work.
Henry County Industries currently has 15 employees with disabilities. Ross joined the office staff in 2006, and the shelter also employs a truck driver. During a down turn in the market for recyclables a few years ago, two other staff members, including the director at the time, left their positions due to lack of funding.
Ross said cutting hours for the employees will be a last resort. “I will do my best to find something for them to do,” she said.
In the meantime, area residents can continue to drop off cardboard, tin cans, aluminum cans and shredded paper at no cost. The workshop also accepts clothing – no shoes or rags – during business hours when the articles can be moved inside to avoid damage from the weather. The clothing is sold to a broker that typically sends it overseas to be repurposed, Ross said. The workshop’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For free glass recycling, the City of Clinton’s transfer station is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The station closes from noon to 1 p.m. weekdays. The glass should be clean and may be any color, according to Jane Baumgarden, who runs the transfer station.
The transfer station also accepts without charge many heavy metal items, including household appliances like washers, dryers and refrigerators, as well as lawnmowers. Anyone who wants to recycle at the transfer station needs to live within city limits, Baumgarden said.
An option for recycling tin, appliances, vehicles, farm machinery, steel, aluminum, brass and even electronics is Meredith Recycling in Montrose. Owned by Roy and Melissa Meredith, the business can be found at 208 E. Second. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Some electronics have a fee for recycling. For specifics, call the business at 660‐693‐2334 or visit meredithsrecyling.com.
