Illegal dumping could trash Manton recycling program

Tanya Berkebile | Cadillac News About two weeks ago, someone dropped off what appears to be tub molds at the recycling bins outside Manton. It is illegal for non-recyclable materials to be left at the bins. If people do abuse the system, the Wexford County DPW will remove the service.

MANTON — When it comes to the environment, Katherine Thomas tries to do her part every day.

Although she only stops by the recycling bins outside Manton every week or two, she does make sure to separate her plastics, papers and aluminum on a day-to-day basis.

“We do recycle everything we are able to and anytime we have a load and are headed toward Cadillac, we drop it off at the recycling bins,” Thomas said. “Anyone in Manton who heads to Cadillac, they could recycle, and should.”

About two weeks ago, Thomas noticed someone had dumped fiberglass or acrylic bathtub molds behind the recycling bins. There were 13 white tubs that were stacked in two to three different piles.

After doing some research on the label’s name, she found out the Illinois business was sold about nine years ago.

“It is a big mess that someone left there,” she said. “I don’t know what kind of material they are made of, but to me it is littering.

“Mesick closed its recycling bins after people were using them for their trash. I don’t want that to happen here.”

Any trash left in or near the recycling bins is brought to the landfill, according to Wexford County Director of Public Works John Divozzo. “When a person leaves trash, it is considered illegal dumping. The problem is how to identify who it is.”

Recyclable items include clean No. 1 and No. 2 plastics with the wrappers and caps taken off; corrugated cardboard; and tin and aluminum cans.

“We just ask that the containers are clean and are put in the slots,” Divozzo said. “If the pieces are too big, they should be folded or cut up into pieces that are able to fit in the bins.”

Anything that has a deposit, such as soda cans, are not considered recyclable. Clothes hangers, lawn chairs and other scrap metal also aren’t recyclable — but there is a bin at the landfill where scrap metal can be deposited.

“If someone has a doubt on whether something is recyclable or not, don’t put it in there,” Divozzo said. “Do some research. There are flyers at the landfill or people can call our office.”

Besides the bins outside Manton, the only other recycling center in Wexford County is on M-115 near Boon Road.

Those who leave trash at the recycling center or bins could face hefty fines if they are caught. Phil Roycraft of the Department of Environmental Quality said it is potentially a $1,000 per day misdemeanor.

Right now, Divozzo said trash problems in Manton aren’t as bad as Mesick — mainly due to it being across from the NorthFlight building.

“But if people continue to abuse the service, we will end up having to remove it. We don’t want it to happen,” Divozzo said.

If anyone has information on the individual who left the bathtubs at the recycling bins, they should call the Wexford County Sheriff’s Department at 779-9211.

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Rules of recycling

Sometime around the end of May, 13 bathtub molds were left in a pile near the recycling bins outside of Manton. If a person is found guilty for illegal dumping, it is potentially a $1,000 per day misdemeanor.

Recyclable items include clean No. 1 and No. 2 plastics with the wrappers and caps taken off; corrugated cardboard; and tin and aluminum cans. The items must be able to fit in the bins.

Recyclable materials can be taken to the bins near the NorthFlight building on Business U.S. 131 south of Manton or at the Recycling center on M-115 near Boon Road.

If a person has doubts about whether material is recyclable, people can call 775-0155.

tberkebile@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)