OBERLIN — Recycling operations will halt Tuesday as city workers try to conserve manpower.

Oberlin Public Works Director Jeff Baumann said a four-person crew and two backup workers collect garbage and recyclables each week.

He's splitting those employees into two units to "maximize our ability to stay in service" as long as possible during the coronavirus outbreak.

Until further notice, Oberlin residents can use their recycling bins for garbage that will go to the landfill.

Dumpsters for paper and cardboard recycling are located around town and can be used until they are full, Baumann said.

People who want to recycle other materials have two options: They can save steel and aluminum items until service is restored, or they can mix them in with the regular trash.

Baumann said plastics and glass should go in the garbage for now.

"You can still put them out in your recycling bin, that's fine. But the truth is they'll still go to the landfill," he said.

For a city dedicated to reducing its environmental impact as much as possible, the decision was a difficult one, Baumann said.

He said in this case, protecting the health of workers and keeping refuse services running during the crisis took precedence.