SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): Aitkin County, Minnesota hopes to improve recycling rate in rural communities with the help of a grant. The grant money of around $92,000 from the Minnesota Pullution Control Agency (MPCA) will be used to subsidize the cost of curbside collection of recyclables in rural communities outside the city limits.

ALSO READ:

WM Highlights M&A Ramp-Up, Investments in Recycling and RNG

Plans to shake up recycling system to save money

The current recycling facility in Aitkin was constructed in 1991 with the help of state grant money. Later in 2022, it had utilized grant money to implement easier recycling methods to more rural areas of the county, by entering into partnership with ‘Recyclops’ in developing an innovative crurbside recycling pickup service. As per estimates, Aitkin County residents produced 2.2 tons of recyclables.

Since 2014, ‘Recyclops’ has undergone expansion to offer recycling services to 19 states across major cities. This will be the first time that the company will be venturing out to rural areas.

Andrew Carolstrom, the Aitkin County Environmental Services Director noted that currently it hires local people to go into the rural county region and pickup curbside recycling in their own vehicles. The grant money will help to encourage more rural customers become part of the program, thus saving landfill space.