McLean County – A 10 year goal of recycling 40% of municipal solid waste produced in McLean county has been not only met but exceeded for the first time since it was established in 2007 by the Ecology Action Center. Nearly 42% of McLean County’s waist avoided the land fill in 2016. This was a 14% increase in the recycling rate coming from the previous year, and a 30% decrease in municipal solid waste created overall.
These bold actions are continuing to develop with higher expectations every year in an effort to a create more cost effective plane for the waste that typically makes its way into the McLean County Landfill which now has less than one year of capacity left.
This long standing goal was reached due in part to the decision of the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal to contact Henson C & D and make arrangements to recycle bulk waste such as furniture or construction and remodeling materials. Now items such as old mattresses and other furniture pieces left behind by many of the outgoing college students are being broken down and recycled instead of heading for the land fill. Residents of McLean County seem to be embracing these efforts, and working alongside their towns to reduce waste.
Now the EAC is working on creating a new waste management plan for McLean County, the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal.
To read the full story, visit http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/long-term-waste-reduction-goals-met-in-mclean-county/751134487.