Since the Randolph County Solid Waste Authority removed trailers that provided a convenient drop off point for recyclable materials, the Randolph County Commission has received comments about the decision from area residents. During the County Commission meeting Thursday, commissioners addressed the issue.

Commission President Mike Taylor explained that the RCSWA has asked the county and city of Elkins for monetary contributions to keep the entity from going broke amidst a slow market for recyclable materials. In March, the County Commission contributed $5,000 to the RCSWA. In July, the RCSWA asked for $50,000 from commissioners in order to keep the organization financially solvent through a down market for recyclable goods. Since then the request has been under consideration, Taylor said.

"It's just not simply a question of dumping money into that (RCSWA) to try to keep it afloat until the economic conditions turn around to such that it becomes more self-supporting," Taylor said. "We've been reaching out to other communities ... that have viable solid waste authorities and recycling operations to see how they are able to sustain their operation in light of this economy."

On Monday, Taylor and Commissioners Chris See and Julia Elbon plan to travel to Upshur County and meet with its Solid Waste Authority and county commissioners to discuss what might make their operation "a success," Taylor said.

"The commission or the city dumping money into the SWA is not the answer to the problem," Taylor said. "I think we have to be prudent - it's taxpayer money. We believe, I believe, in the recycling program, but it has to be a viable operation, one that would hopefully be self-sustaining."

There is a want and need for the recyclable materials trailers in the city of Elkins and elsewhere in the county, he commented.

See explained that the RCSWA is facing financial difficulties because it is four to five months behind on its rent to Tygarts Valley Sanitation and owes its treasurer Vonda Gumm four months back salary. On Tuesday during the RCSWA board meeting, TVS President Fred Hornick presented the board members with a proposal to take over the recycling operations and lease the equipment for $1 per year for five years.

The RCSWA board did not take action on the proposal. See said board members need more details of what the lease agreement would entail.

"There is a big need for recycling," See said. "The recycling facility up there is full and they're still taking (recyclables) in, they just can't get rid of anything."

Two to three trailers of cardboard are currently being stored at the RCSWA warehouse and each load is worth approximately $800, See said. Last year, the same amount of cardboard was worth around $1,600, he added.

"This commission isn't going to rush into any decision until we have all the facts in front of us," Taylor commented.

The inability to place recyclable materials in the trailers may be an inconvenience for a while, but commissioners hope to obtain more information about the program and work out issues in the near future, Taylor explained.

"As I said, it (recycling) is important everybody is environmentally conscious, but we have to be fiscally responsible at the same time," Taylor said.