Mandatory recycling discussed by county

The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners discussed, but took no action on, a request by Chris Walker of Greentree Recycling to make cardboard recycling mandatory.

The discussion took place Monday night during the county's regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. with all five commissioners present. Walker said that the price of recyclable items is down from when he took the business over from Claude Reedy two years ago.

He said cardboard that was once worth $80 to $110 per ton is now only worth about $43 per ton.

"I am requesting that the commissioners to really think about making cardboard (recycling) mandatory," he said. "I lost $38,000 last year from what it was making to what it's making now." Walker said the loss was a loss of profit, not an out-of-pocket loss.

Walker also noted that the Town of Independence (Va.) has inquired about bringing their recyclables.

Grayson County is dropping its recycling program as of July 1.

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