Portage County Recycling

Mission Statement

It is the mission of Portage County Solid Waste Management District to provide the highest quality; cost effective and integrated recycling services to the residents of Portage County. The District provides ethical environmental leadership and education to promote the public good through innovative and responsible strategies leading to the management of all waste as a resource.

Vision:

It is the vision of the Portage County Solid Waste Management District to promote recycling services to ensure that we have a safe and healthy county for current and future generations.

Stewardship Statement:

To implement responsible planning and management that assists our communities with diversion from the landfill while preserving the environment.

About Portage County Solid Waste Management District

The Portage County Solid Waste District was established in 1989 in compliance with Ohio law that required each county to form “Districts” and take responsibility for providing recycling opportunities for their waste stream.

The Portage County Solid Waste Management Plan made a strong commitment to public ownership of a recycling processing center. In response to this commitment, the District purchased a $2,200,000 recycling/transfer station located at 3588 Mogadore Road, Brimfield Township, Portage County, Ohio, to replace the former District Recycling Facility located on Marvin Street in the City of Kent.

Ohio law allows Solid Waste Districts to fund their recycling programs by collecting a fee on solid waste disposed in landfills and transfer stations. The law requires Ohio landfills and transfer stations to collect fees on behalf of Districts and remit the fees monthly to the appropriate Solid Waste District. The Portage County Solid Waste Management District is funded by a $9.60 per ton generation fee that is charged on waste originating in Portage County.

In order to reach current recycling standards, Portage County Recycling is converting from Dual-Stream to Single-Stream. Now, all recyclables that had to be separated, can now be put into one 95 Gallon container. The Single-Stream method of recycling makes it easier and more convenient to recycle. Portage County Recycling will also introduce five new automated trucks to replace their old and outdated curbside trucks. The new trucks will allow the drivers to stay in the vehicle and use mechanical arms to collect the recyclables. Portage County Recycling is hopeful that the new additions will bring higher participation rates which, in turn, helps keep Portage beautiful.