Lincoln County expands pick-up times for garbage sites
By Robert Wolfington IIIIVANHOE - The success of one rural dump site in Lincoln County has lead to an expansion of pick-up times.
The rural garbage and recycling site at the Marble Store in rural Lincoln County has seen steady traffic and will be expanded to a weekly pick-up. The Marble Township site is one of nine drop off locations installed recently throughout the county in an effort to reduce the amount of garbage burning at rural residences and farm sites.
Lincoln County Environmental Officer Robert Olsen said the Marble site has had a steady amount of traffic since it was installed earlier this year.
"It's getting to the point where it is piling up in the dumpsters," said Olsen.
A site near Tyler has already expanded from the twice-a-month pick-up to once a week.
Olsen said increasing the number of pick-up times at the Marble Store should make it easier for people to use the site.
Commissioner Curt Blumeyer said he has seen the dumpsters overflowing with trash.
The site also has a recycling shed that is heavily used, Olsen said.
Olsen said the county hasn't had a big problem with items that can't be recycled being dropped off at the site.
"We've had a few things like tires and a TV, but for the most part people are using (the sheds) correctly," Olsen said.
The commissioners asked Olsen if an increase in the number of pick-up times for the Marble Store will impact the year's budget for the rural pick-up program.
Olsen said the county has a fixed amount to spend on the program. The county has enough to pay for added pick-up times because it doesn't use as many drop-off sites as originally planned, Olsen said.
The county changed its garbage pick-up program in late 2007 to use larger recycling bins at homes.
Olsen said the program has received a lot of attention from counties throughout Minnesota interested in using a similar system.
"We have had good support and interest from other counties," Olsen said.
