Editor's Note:
This story was updated at 9:15 a.m. to reflect more accurate information regarding the Youth Education Program.
ASHLAND — Jim Skora likes talking trash. Literally.
The Ashland County Solid Waste District’s coordinator did just that Thursday during a presentation to commissioners on how the year 2023 went in terms of how much waste the county collected.
Overall, collection is up, according to information presented by Skora.
More plastic, cardboard, glass and metal were recycled in 2023. Also, more people participated in the residential scrap tire program.
A new program, the Freon-Containing Appliance Voucher Program, also got off to a good start.
But there was a slight decrease in participation when it came to the waste collection events in 2023, along with less participation in the youth education program.
Youth Education Program
Skora said there were 373 presentations given to 7,943 children in 2023. The district’s educator, Nancy Earick, prepared 30 curriculums for 627 children last year, too.
The numbers from 2023 represent a slight decrease from 2022, when Earick gave 374 presentations to 8,089 children.
Earick said she was pleased with the year and that numbers were down “only because the schools have smaller classroom sizes.”
“Less students for many of the grade levels,” she said. “I can’t really tell you the reason for that other than more people are home schooling then in previous years and there seems to be more open enrollments to surrounding schools.”
Earick visits schools in Loudonville, Hillsdale, Mapleton, Black River, Ashland City and Ashland Christian.
“We are reaching different age students at these locations,” Earick said, adding the aluminum tab drive on Earth Day was a success with 512 pounds collected.
“We had several contests throughout the year and a fair booth that represented many of the youth’s posters and writings. This year has started out quite well. I have had 6 days of make-up, drop off lessons because of the weather and school closings,” she said in an email.
Recycling Drop-off Program
There are now 15 drop-off sites open throughout Ashland County, one more since launching the program in July 2021.
The bins led to the recycling of 1.6 million pounds of plastics, cardboard, glass and metal in 2023, marking the program’s biggest year yet. In 2022, the program led to the recycling of 1.5 million pounds.
The more material being recycled, however, meant the overall program’s cost went up. In 2023, the program cost $172,891, a small increase from 2022’s $145,349.
Residential Scrap Tire Voucher Program
The county’s residential scrap tire voucher program launched in October 2021. In 2022, there were 2,049 tires recycled, amounting to 105,553 pounds.
In 2023, the county recycled 2,454 tires, weighing in at 118,419 pounds and costing $14,172.
Skora said Holmes Tire in Loudonville signed up to be another drop-off site, along with Guy’s Tire Service and Smetz Tire and Service Center in Ashland.
Freon-Containing Appliance Voucher Program
This program launched in April 2023. Since then, Skora reported, there were 108 appliances recycled, which cost $2,310.
The following programs are held once per year at the Ashland County Fairgrounds.
Household Hazardous Waste and Paint Collection
Fewer households participated in 2023’s event, but more waste was collected, according to Skora’s report. In 2023, officials collected 37,740 pounds of household hazardous waste and paint.
In 2022, that number amounted to 36,103 pounds.
The next collection event will be held on May 4.
Farm Tire Collection and Recycling Program
2022 saw 96 farms (or 240 residents) participate in the program, which led to the recycling of 596,000 pounds.
In 2023, there were 73 farms (or 182 residents) that turned in 297,000 pounds.
The next collection event is scheduled for Aug. 27.
Electronic Waste and Television Collection and Recycling Program
This is another program that experienced a decrease in activity. In 2022, Skora reported 540 households being involved in the event, which led to 67,788 pounds of items recycled.
In 2023, there were 362 households and 42,803 pounds collected.
The next collection event is scheduled for Sept. 28.
Skora said he expected a drop in participation for the farm tire and electronic waste collection events.
“All three were first time events in 2022,” he said, including the household hazardous waste collection event. Skora said there was anticipation built around the events because they hadn’t happened for a while.
“So I’m curious to see how it goes for this year, the third year,” Skora said.
The coordinator also said a mailer will go out to every Ashland County household this year.
“That will affect participation,” he said.