BENTONVILLE -- The School District is still seeking a solution to its recycling needs after the Benton County Solid Waste District cut its services earlier this year.
The Solid Waste District had provided recycling at the School District's buildings at no charge for about 10 years. It also had served the Gravette and Decatur school districts as well as some nonprofit organizations, said Wendy Bland, the Solid Waste District's director.
That service ended March 1. Budgetary concerns forced cancellation of the program. The Solid Waste District was losing more than $50,000 per year on the endeavor, even after the recyclable material was processed and sold, Bland said.
"We definitely hated to cancel it because it was one of our baby programs that we had started so long ago and really grew into this terrific program," Bland said. "But the cost was so detrimental to the district, we couldn't continue it."
The Solid Waste District collected paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and tin cans, Bland said.
"When we originally started, it was in response to a deficit of services available for that type of service," Bland said. "Now there are private haulers for that kind of service."
In the meantime, Georgia-Pacific Harmon has stepped up to fill the void, at least temporarily, Bland said. A Georgia-Pacific Harmon representative whose name Bland provided did not return phone calls seeking comment last week.
It's unclear what the financial impact will be on the Bentonville School District of having to pay for pickup of recyclables.
Paul Wallace, director of facilities, wrote a letter to district employees last month stating the district had exhausted all opportunities with area "noncost" recycling companies that could take over where Benton County Solid Waste District left off.
District administrators have discussed recycling possibilities that would add costs to the district for the 2017-18 school year, according to the letter.
Leslee Wright, communications director for the Bentonville School District, said Friday the district continues "to work closely with G-P Harmon to look for a financially feasible solution to meet the district's recycling needs."
The Gravette School District also hasn't chosen another provider. The district is exploring its options, said Becky Rangel, a district spokeswoman.
Jeff Gravette, superintendent of the Decatur School District, could not be reached for comment.
In the Rogers School District, the Rogers Recycling Center picks up the district's paper for shredding for free. Waste Management handles everything else, said Ashley Siwiec, the district's communications director.
NW News on 05/29/2017