"I have been doing this for 41 years and I have never seen this," said Don Williamson, owner of West Central Sanitation, a garbage and recycling collector based in Willmar.
West Central Sanitation, which provides garbage and recycling services for many counties and cities in the region, has been able to continue services pretty much as normal.
"We are considered essential workers," Williamson said.
Unfortunately for Kandiyohi County, it had to shut down its county-run recycling program due to the lack of workers. The county uses Sentence-to-Serve crews to pick up the curbside recycling in Willmar and Atwater and the recycling left at the drop-off sites in other cities, and clients from West Central Industries sort the recycling at the county Recycling Center. Both organizations had to remove their people due to the state stay-at-home order.
"That is the main reason why we are closed: We have no workers," said Jay Baker, Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste Manager for Kandiyohi County.
Kandiyohi County won't be able to reopen its recycling program until the stay-at-home order expires and workers can come back. Residents are just being asked to hold on to their recycling until the center reopens.
"Hold it if you can, " Baker said. "I know this is not ideal, but whoever expected we would be in this situation. It is pretty weird."
The Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners discussed the recycling program at Tuesday's meeting, and commissioners said they have been getting calls and emails from constituents asking about reopening the service.
"It is not as pressing as human lives, but it is something people are concerned about," said Commissioner Steve Ahmann.
County Administrator Larry Kleindl said he has been having discussions with partners about what could be done. However, as long as the stay-at-home order is in place, he said there really is nothing the county can safely do.
Even if it contracts with an outside hauler to put out a few recycling dumpsters in Willmar, Kleindl said he worries about the public inadvertently spreading the virus when they come out to drop off or having tons of material blowing around the city on windy days.
The commissioners want to find a solution, but for now the county's program will remain closed.
"The county is going to have to, unfortunately, keep piling it up or putting it in your garbage," said Commissioner Corky Berg.
Other regional haulers have been able to keep providing services. Waste Management is keeping the trucks running during the pandemic and is providing most of its regular services, according to the business' website. Its facilities are closed to the public and may have reduced hours and there is no bulk collection going on in Minnesota, its website said.
Chippewa County Environmental Technician JoAnn Blomme said Tostenson Inc., which provides garbage and recycling services in that county, is operating as normal.
"They are picking things up like they always have," Blomme said.
Williamson said he has seen an increase in residential garbage, with some apartment buildings even asking for additional dumpsters. On the other hand, commercial waste, especially from restaurants and small businesses, has dropped significantly. He said there have been account reductions and cancellations.
"I am concerned how this will impact the economy," Williamson said of the shutdown.
The haulers are asking for the public's help to keep their workers healthy by making sure garbage is bagged, tied and placed in a garbage can whenever possible. That cuts back on the amount of material drivers have to handle.
"During this time, because our workers are on the front line and they are putting themselves at risk everyday, please bag neatly and get it into the cart," Williamson said. "We would really appreciate our drivers not having to manhandle anything more than normal."
Williamson said West Central Sanitation has made some changes to its operations, including staggering employee arrivals and spreading out the tables in the break room. So, far the business' employees and their families have been healthy.
"It is just what we have to do right now," Williamson said.
Once Kandiyohi County can restart recycling, Baker is expecting a huge amount of material to hit the program at one time. County workers are getting ready for the influx by shipping out the recycling that was already at the center and cleaning the facility.
"We are going to see a lot of material once we open," Baker said. "It is going to be very interesting."
Baker is grateful for residents' patience during this time.
"We never dreamt we would be in a situation like this," Baker said. "I want to thank the public for understanding and helping us out."
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April 22, 2020
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Kandiyohi County recycling still shut down, though other counties and cities see continued service - West Central Tribune
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