The Hancock County Solid Waste District has begun pulling its remote recycling stations from service due to ongoing problems with trash being dumped at the sites. Public access to Litter Landing is also expected to be more limited soon.

"We will be adjusting/limiting public hours again very soon to deal with the contamination and abuse of the units and the facility. Recycling properly is the only way to keep the units and the facility available to residents," said Courtney B. Comstock, director of Litter Landing, 1720 E. Sandusky St.

Comstock said trash, used diapers, food scraps, Styrofoam, plastic bags, aluminum siding and plastic toys are all being left at both the modules and Litter Landing. Materials are also being left in piles on the ground near the modulars, despite signs stating that it is unlawful to do so.

Comstock said host locations get frustrated with the mess, and ask for the units to be removed.

"This contamination and abuse not only looks bad for the host, but causes the units to be pulled from service altogether," she said.

Hancock County's recycling program has operated self-sufficiently for more than 30 years without the need for tax dollars, Comstock said. However, abuse of the facilities and other complications are putting a strain on the program.

She said the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing issues and changing recycling markets are also challenging the program being able to continue as a free community service.

"Recycling properly is the only way to keep the units and the facility available to residents," she said.

And for now, the modulars or Litter Landing are the only free options. "... As a district, we may review the option of curbside service, but that doesn't mean we can or will ever provide such a service," she said.

The county's proposed recycling plan for the next five years does not establish a free curbside program, but does say those efforts should be supported.

Curbside recycling is believed to be the most effective method for reducing residential waste disposal, but it has been traditionally difficult to establish in Hancock County.

In the plan, the district said it will continue to discuss the idea with local governments and will provide information and technical details to any interested municipality or local hauler. However, budget constraints have stopped the district from providing any substantial assistance with startup or maintenance of curbside programs.

Making the switch from several trash haulers to a single hauler that would provide curbside recycling countywide is problematic. There are concerns about the impact to the market and resistance from residents who want to pick their own haulers. However, communitywide, nonsubscription waste collection with curbside recycling is popular and results in substantial increases in recycling. Fees for the service would be competitive with private trash hauler prices.

The district's proposed plan is available for public review online on the district's page on Hancock County's government website: www.co.hancock.oh.us/home.