Recycling bins to be relocated

Ongoing problems with trash dumping at the recycling bins is one of several reasons they will likely be moved from the location they have remained for the past 30 years. A new location will be monitored to cut down on the number of non-recyclable items that are left at the bins.

The familiar recycling bins on the site of the Manchester Market may be finding a new home after many years in the same location.

Since shortly after the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority (WWRA) was first formed in 1991, the bins have been located on the property on the west side of Union Street, just a block south of Main Street. Until the Village of Manchester began contracting for garbage and recycling services from a private company in 2010, the bins served both village and township residents.

The recycle bins are currently paid for by rural Manchester Township residents via a special assessment, according to Township Supervisor Ron Milkey. But, he says, "(the bins) benefit the entire community by reducing the amount of material sent directly to a landfill."

The township has been in communication with Manchester Market owners Ken Herr and Joel Dahlenberg regarding the recycle bins.

"The request is that if they should they purchase the lot east of the market, they would want the bins removed," Milkey explained. "Currently, the first choice for the new location would be on the southeast corner of the lot where the white storage building used to be, across from the township hall (corner of Macomb and Duncan Streets, about a block from their current location)."

This location would place the bins on township property and allow monitoring of the bins by township officials, both visually and with security cameras. Milkey said he hopes that a new, monitored location would cut down on the dumping of trash that so often occurs in the current location.

No time frame has been set at this time, but the move may happen by the end of this year.

"Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority has been notified about the possible need to relocate and the township will stay in contact with Mr. Herr and Mr. Dahlenberg," Milkey concluded.

The property on which the bins are located is likely to be sold this year, which will force Manchester Township to relocate them to township-owned property.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.