Weather-related problems shut down city’s recycling center; material being diverted

LEXINGTON, KY. (WTVQ) – Multiple mechanical failures at the city’s recycling center on Thursday have created a major backlog of recyclable materials on the center’s tipping floor.

The backup will cause materials collected on Friday, January 25, to be diverted to the city’s transfer station where it will be processed and sent to a landfill.

The mechanical failures were caused in part by excessively wet recyclables and freezing temperatures jamming conveyor belts and causing electrical failures. The recycling center has limited heated areas. There is no heat in the tipping room, which is where collection trucks leave their loads for sorting.

Participants in the recycling program can help prevent future mechanical issues by ensuring the materials that go in the blue recycling carts and recycling dumpsters are dry. Be sure to close lids on carts and dumpster to prevent moisture from getting in.

The center hopes to process some materials on Friday and to have the backlog eliminated by Monday.

The city resists diverting recycled materials, but is unable to store materials outside of the facility.

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