Recycling program being misused, waste district says

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The Aim to Be Green recycling program operated by the Ottawa Sandusky Seneca Solid Waste Management District is being misused by residents and businesses in municipalities, according to the district, which issued a recent notice alleging there has been illegal dumping at the recycling sites.
The Aim To Be Green program was established to bring recycling opportunities to residents of townships and costs about $775,000 annually to maintain 42 collection sites
“Misuse of this program by businesses, residents that live inside city limits who have the option for city curbside recycling, and outright illegal dumping of non-recyclable items have caused the cost for the district to fund it to increase immensely,” a press release from the solid waste district says.
The release notes that residents of Port Clinton, Fremont, Bellevue, and Tiffin all have curbside recycling options available and it encourages residents of Clyde and Fostoria to speak to their city administrations about getting curbside recycling options for their communities.
Dropping off materials at the Aim To Be Green township sites that are not recyclable “is contamination and labeled as illegal dumping,” the release says, and violators can be prosecuted.
The only items that should be placed inside the recycling bins are glass bottles and jars, metal cans, including aerosol cans with the lids and tips removed, plastic bottles and jugs, tubs, and cups, paper and cardboard, and food and beverage cartons.
Persons with recycling questions should contact the district at 410-334-7222 or email ossonline@recycleoss.org
The toll-free number is 1-888-850-7224.

Grant program opens
The OSS Solid Waste District is continuing its competitive grant funding program for 2023 and will accept applications for the first round until Jan. 31.
Funding is available for local governments, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations for solid waste programs.
By law, the district can’t fund a privately-owned business.
Applications for the second round of funding this year will be accepted until June 30.
Fourteen programs were funded by the grant program last year.
For application information visit recycleoss.org/competitive-grant-funding/.