McLean Co. surpasses 40 percent recycling goal

Posted on June 26, 2017
Recycling Truck
A contract to handle bulky waste for Bloomington and Normal is credited as a key factor in the jump in the county’s recycling rate. (WJBC file photo)

By Greg Halbleib

NORMAL – McLean County has met a recycling goal for the first time in 10 years.

The Ecology Action Center reports nearly 42 percent of the municipal solid waste generated in the county was recycled in 2016. Local officials set a 40 percent goal in 2007 to encourage more residents to recycle after the county met state mandated goals of 15 and 25 percent.

The center says a key factor in reaching the goal was a contract Bloomington and Normal entered with Henson C and D Recycling to handle bulky waste such as old furniture and remodeling project materials. Henson began recycling those items in April 2016, increasing the recovery rate of those materials from four to 21 percent.

The Ecology Action Center compiles waste and recycling data for McLean County and is developing a new waste management plan for the county, the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].

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