State Budget Could Eliminate Recycling Clearinghouse For Local Communities

A clearinghouse for recycling data used by businesses and local governments will be shut down if the state budget passes as is.

The Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center’s job is to analyze market prices for recyclables, connect businesses buying and selling materials and aid local governments running recycling programs. Gov. Scott Walker’s state budget, however, eliminates the center.

President of the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin Meleesa Johnson said the free online manuals are invaluable for small towns.

“Think about one of those downloads for a small, semi-rural municipality that the clerk is now obligated to run the recycling program and some of these clerks are very part time,” said Johnson. “So, that one download probably went out to 500 residents.”

Nearly $400,000 in funding for the center will be shifted to other parts of state government including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.