This year is the 20th anniversary of the Southeast Kansas recycling center. Members of the non-profit provided an update on its operation to the Pittsburg City Commission Tuesday at its bi-weekly meeting. KRPS's Fred fletcher-Fierro has more.
Unlike many recycling centers in the Four States, the SEK recycling center isn't operated by the city or municipality. It's a non-profit run by community members partially funded by a restore that sells second-hand items and sells recycled items such as glass, aluminum, and cardboard.
SEK Recycling Center member Nancy Scott highlighted the center's main goal Tuesday night.
"In 2022, 915 tons, and let me say that again, tons of material were processed through our center and kept out of our landfills."
Nancy also emphasized that a change in consumer demand had strained one aspect of the recycling center.
The rise of online purchases has led to a dramatic increase in the amount of cardboard the center receives. Six months ago, a bail of cardboard sold for $185. Due to the influx in cardboard, today the price has dropped to just $5 a bail, which has led the center to stockpile bales in hopes that the market will rebound. For 89 9 KRPS News, I'm Fred Fletcher-Fierro
