Pictured, from left, are Jerry Frush, Michelle Puckett, Sarah Fruit and Shelley Heckert.

WARSAW — The Solid Waste Board approved claims for $35,758.10, including $9,044 for the completed Butt and Timmons drainage and driveways project and $3,000 for household hazardous waste (HHW) barrels.

KC Recycling Depot Director Shelley Heckert had been purchasing refurbished barrels, used for disposing of hazardous materials, to cut costs before her source ran out. She’s currently purchasing the barrels at the lowest possible cost until she can find a new source for ones that are refurbished.

Heckert recently attended the North American Hazardous Material Management conference in Portland, Ore. The conference ran Oct. 9-14.

Heckert attended an electronic waste class presented by a de-manufacturer. A point of concern presented is CRT TVs and monitors, also known as “tube” TVs, which have to be smelted down to separate lead from the other components. Because the process is so costly most businesses that provide the service are closing their doors and moving elsewhere.

Because of the lead in the CRT glass, proper disposal is important to a healthy environment. “If you aren’t being charged [as a collection agency] for CRT TVs, you are not with a reputable company. That’s what I took away from it,” stated Heckert. “If they are disposing of it correctly and are R2 certified they are charging for it.”

Back in August the Depot announced new flat rates for the drop off of flat-screen TVs and monitors, a choice that was pushed by rising costs of CRT recycling.

Heckert advised the board that the problem is nationwide but greater in Indiana as the state does not subsidize for CRT disposal. There is hope that the drop off of CRT items is coming to an end; CRT manufacturing was discontinued almost 10 years ago.

Heckert is excited to bring ideas from the conference into the community with help from KC Recycling Depot educator Sarah Fruit.

Among programs for this upcoming month is America Recycles Day where Dumpster Drummers have been scheduled for Pierceton, Mentone, Milford and Madison schools. Borden’s has agreed to sponsor again this year for $1,000.

The Depot is also hosting several events for America Recycles Day from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. For a list of events see its website.

Other business:

• It was approved that $9,500 be transferred from the recycling services fund to the building services fund to cover sidewalk and landscape work.
• The salary ordinance was postponed until Nov. 15.
• The board approved raising Heckert’s salary $189 to keep her exempt status.
• The Depot will be having its 19th annual shoe drive through November.