BRODHEAD - Revolution Plastics, the Arkansas-based agriculture plastic recycling company, has called it quits with the Green County Transfer Station by ditching the local landfill to purchase a $980,000 building in Madison.
Green County Landfill Manager Randy Thompson said the group has been stockpiling material to be recycled at its Madison location but doesn't think the arrangement will last.
"The whole thing is backwards to me," Thompson said. "I don't know what they're doing. We're done bailing for them I guess, until they call us. If they come back again, I'd want three center per pound coming in."
Revolution Plastics has utilized the landfill bailing process to recycling ag plastic like irrigation tape and tubing and cover, bale wrap or grain bags. The incoming material, caked with mud and other materials found on a farm, was run through the bailer to be processed.
"I'm going to miss the revenue, but I won't miss the mess," Thompson said.
He told the Solid Waste Management Board on Thursday that the group does not have the necessary permits to operate, which is why a stockpile has added up at the location. Thompson was told that the operators purchased a bailer, which averages $500,000 in cost, and a compactor trailer, which they plan to operate just below the legal weight limit as a way to avoid applying for permits. He said it seemed unlikely the operation would start up, let alone make a profit.
Board Chairman Richard Vogel pointed out that the service was appreciated because of the need for rural recycling.
"Let's hope they come back because it's a good way to get the plastic off the local farms," Vogel said.
Revolution Plastics also played a part in landfill revenue, filling in lost profit due to the city of Monroe leaving its membership with the transfer station. Thompson assured board members the landfill was currently $162,000 "in the green" and said "we'll be good until the end of the year."
Green County Landfill Manager Randy Thompson said the group has been stockpiling material to be recycled at its Madison location but doesn't think the arrangement will last.
"The whole thing is backwards to me," Thompson said. "I don't know what they're doing. We're done bailing for them I guess, until they call us. If they come back again, I'd want three center per pound coming in."
Revolution Plastics has utilized the landfill bailing process to recycling ag plastic like irrigation tape and tubing and cover, bale wrap or grain bags. The incoming material, caked with mud and other materials found on a farm, was run through the bailer to be processed.
"I'm going to miss the revenue, but I won't miss the mess," Thompson said.
He told the Solid Waste Management Board on Thursday that the group does not have the necessary permits to operate, which is why a stockpile has added up at the location. Thompson was told that the operators purchased a bailer, which averages $500,000 in cost, and a compactor trailer, which they plan to operate just below the legal weight limit as a way to avoid applying for permits. He said it seemed unlikely the operation would start up, let alone make a profit.
Board Chairman Richard Vogel pointed out that the service was appreciated because of the need for rural recycling.
"Let's hope they come back because it's a good way to get the plastic off the local farms," Vogel said.
Revolution Plastics also played a part in landfill revenue, filling in lost profit due to the city of Monroe leaving its membership with the transfer station. Thompson assured board members the landfill was currently $162,000 "in the green" and said "we'll be good until the end of the year."