Perryville Recycling Center to raise tonnage cost Oct. 1

Like many things, businesses are not immune to inflation. Due to the rising cost of materials, the Perry County Recycling Center and Transfer Station will be raising its tonnage fee in the near future. Starting Oct. 1, The fee will rise to $59, with a minimum of $15 which is slightly up from the current price of $53.50.
“With the labor rates, price of tires, maintenance, and equipment and everything else,” supervisor Sheila Schnurbusch said. “It’s not going up a bunch, but it’s going up enough to cover inflation.”
Two months ago the transportation of trash added a fuel surcharge of over $3 per ton. At an average of 90 tons of trash a day that has caused the center to absorb a significant amount of funds out of pocket. Schnurbusch noted that the increased rate is still cheaper than most in the area.
“The surrounding areas charge a min of $40 and charge $80 a ton to dump trash,” Schnurbusch said. “We will still be much cheaper than surrounding areas to say the least. The minimum charge is going up to encourage patrons to utilize the trash services available in the country. They are very reasonable and you don’t have to drive anywhere or walk around in the trash and slick floors.”

Schnurbusch noted that with less people in the building, it should help with traffic within the center.
“This also keeps traffic to a minimal to ensure loader operator can get all the trash loaded in a timely manner especially since employee rate is low at the solid waste department and has been for several years,” Schnurbusch said. “We encourage people to contact a local refuse hauler and see just how efficient it is to have them haul your trash for you. Also remember all scrap metal and electronics can come to the recycling center for added convenience.”
She reiterated that change was done out of necessity.
“Remember the solid waste department is the only self-sustaining business in the county,” Schnurbusch said. “We are not funded by tax dollars and run on the money we take in at the departments. We are a nonprofit organization so for us to be able to get equipment and items for the recycling and transfer station and DNR regulations and fines we have to make sure there is money there to cover costs.”