Kosciusko County Recycling Depot Director Tom Ganser discusses recycling contracts with board members. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

WARSAW — The Board of Directors for the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District approved a 2020 recycling contract bid with Whitley Environmental, Columbia City, on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

Kosciusko County Recycling Depot Director Tom Ganser recommended that board members go with Whitley Environmental’s base bid for a recycling contract. The contract is for nine consumer drop-off locations in Kosciusko County, with stations located in Warsaw, North Webster, Syracuse, Claypool, Leesburg, Mentone, Milford, Pierceton and Silver Lake.

“Looking at the total impact, it [the contract] is something that we’re going to have to watch for the budget for next year,” said Ganser. “With the per ton rate, it’ll put us right around $273,000. We’re maxed at $290,000, and that just depends on volume that we get.”

During discussion regarding the contract, Board President Brad Jackson asked about options within the contract for potential modification if needed for financial reasons.

“When you look at the contract, the language is per ton,” said Ganser. “The cost is the cost going into the contract; however, we can dictate what sites we either add or subtract. When you get into the smaller sites like Claypool or Silver Lake, Claypool, for one, is estimated at 24 tons for the year.”

Ganser said the board also has the option to allow Whitley Environmental to take some of the collected recyclables to Vexor Engineered Fuel of Indiana, Gary, to be made into fuel.

Jackson also asked about the possibility of hauling plastic recyclables to Polywood, Syracuse, as part of the contract.

“I would just hate to see plastics go out of the county if Polywood could use them,” said Jackson.

Ganser said that according to Whitley Environmental’s bid specifications, the board has the authority to determine where Whitley Environmental takes recyclables in regards to alternate uses that result in by-products.

“Ultimately, our mission is to reduce volume that’s coming into local landfills and re-direct it to alternative sources,” said Ganser.

After discussing the contract, the board voted to approve Whitley Environmental’s bid.

The board’s next meeting will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12.