Managing Solid Waste Disposal

Garbage is an unavoidable by-product of production and consumption.  There are three ways to deal with it: dump it, burn it, or recycle it.  Earliest methods of dealing with it were to dump it.  After World War II, landfills became the accepted means of dealing with trash.  By 1995, the majority of Americans thought trash was our number one environmental problem--with 77% reporting that increased recycling of household rubbish was the solution.

The Randolph County Solid Waste Management District (RCSWMD) was formed as a "single county" solid waste district in 1996 with the goal of providing local information to county residents concerning the alternatives to dumping trash in the landfill, thus diverting trash flowing to landfills.  Informed, voluntary recycling helps conserve valuable resources and slows landfill trash build-up.

RCSWMD provides bins at nineteen locations around the county for voluntary drop-off of recyclables.  Residents may drop-off aluminum, clear and colored glass, mixed paper and cardboard, metal food and drink containers and #1 and #2 plastics 24/7.  The district also provides four locations for drop-off of antifreeze, oil filters, and oil as well as four locations for drop-off of household batteries.

Two local contractors conduct mixed cardboard/paper collection routes throughout the county for no additional fee.  These routes serve retail establishments, non-profit organizations, government offices, and industrial facilities. 

Year-round recycling of white goods is available and the district accepts electronics free of charge.  Household hazardous wastes are also accepted free of charge at Pollution Solution one weekend a month March through October.  Unwanted tires are also accepted at this location.

The district promotes the three R's (reduce, reuse, recycle) through presentations and workshops to local clubs and organizations, public and private offices and businesses, and schools.