Town officials plan to lobby at county level while noting curbside options available

By Greg Ellison

(May 13, 2021) Based on cost issues and improper usage, the Town of Berlin is planning to remove a single-stream recycling bin located next to Heron Park.

In October 2018, town officials opted to relocate a recycling center located on William Street to the former Berlin Falls Park site, later renamed to Heron Park.

Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood reported during the mayor and Town Council meeting on Monday that single-stream recycling at Heron Park would be eliminated next month.

“As it’s phased out by the end of June 2021 what will remain down there will be the green dumpster that holds cardboard,” he said.

Fleetwood said further detail would be forthcoming in short order.

“The signage down there will be changed,” he said.

Regardless of the changes at the Heron Park site, Fleetwood said easier recycling options exist for residents of Berlin.

“This town does provide curbside recycling,” he said.

Fleetwood said Berlin would be starting an advertising campaign to raise awareness of the change, while also highlighting other recycling locations operated by Worcester County.

In recent days, Fleetwood inspected the single-stream set up at Heron Park and was distressed to discover an array of improperly disposed materials.

“It’s incredible what you can find,” he said. “I feel like I’m a dumpster diver.”

Fleetwood said the trash exploration uncovered evidence of Berlin residents misusing the site.

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say 70 percent, from my perspective, were in the Town of Berlin proper based off the mailing labels,” he said.

The remaining percentage was from West Ocean City or other addresses outside the town limits.

Fleetwood said during past conversations with residents regarding the single-stream recycling bins the consensus is generally positive until cost issues are raised.

“A lot of citizens in the town do not recognize that, yes, we are the Town of Berlin, but whether we go to the Worcester County landfill, or the setup that we have with the single stream recycle, the town pays for that,” he said.

Mayor Zack Tyndall said there are merits to using the county landfill.

“We get a credit if we go down to Worcester County,” he said.

Fleetwood concurred, noting Worcester County provides a tipping fee credit for recyclables.

“We actually get a credit on our tipping fees, but the reality [is] no matter how you look at it there is a cost,” he said.

Tyndall also noted Public Works Superintendent Jimmy Charles has been added to the Worcester County Solid Waste Commission.

“I’ve asked him to advocate for single-stream recycling at the county level, which would help us a lot,” he said.

Tyndall said the goal is to provide residents a single curbside container as opposed to having customers split items out.

“There would be a savings for productivity on our end and, hopefully, an increase in the amount of recyclables,” he said.