Government, Latest News, Preston County

Preston County ecycling event successful; grant sought to do it again in 2021

KINGWOOD — Ecycling dominated the discussion at the Wednesday evening Preston Solid Waste Authority meeting.

Don Smith, who represents the county commission on the board, said 276 vehicles dropped off electronics and other items at the Aug. 22 event.

Smith said he did not have figures on the weight of the items recycled, but said both a large box truck and a 53-foot trailer were filled with items.

Board members also discussed ways to make the event more efficient. Suggestions included:

  • Purchase reusable signs showing the way to the ecycling site.
  • A list of approved items for volunteers and people coming to recycle.
  • Cones for traffic.
  • Charge a fee for CRT TVs.

“We’re not required to take tube TV’s,” Smith said. “I talked to [Kingwood City Clerk] Michelle Whetsell about having a truck available to put them on.”

He said Whetsell “seemed receptive” to the idea.

“We would load them in the truck and charge $10 per TV. All they (city )would have to do is take them to the transfer station on Monday,” he said.

Smith said the board was approved for a $9,133 Solid Waste Management Board grant to purchase tires and equipment for litter control. Board members voted to allow County Litter Officer Jay Sowers order the tires and equipment.

At their August meeting board members voted to submit their ecycling grant application for 2021. A discussion ensued about whether they should hold two ecycling events a year or just one.

It was determined it would be difficult to set a date for a second event due to the uncertainty of Preston County weather.

TWEET@DominionPostWV