A grant approved by the Barton County Commission Monday morning will make possible a cooperative recycling effort involving the county, Barton Community College, Sunflower Diversified Services and Rosewood Services.

The $16,759.11 award is from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Competitive Solid Waste Grant Program for Local Government, said county Solid Waste Director Phil Hathcock. The county will have to put up a $5,586.37 match.

But, this project creates a cost-free college campus recycling program at BCC, he said. The college will collaborate with Sunflower for household recycling and with Rosewood for electronic recycling.

“It is relevant to Barton County’s Solid Waste Management Plan as recycling is the primary source of diverting waste from the landfill,” Hathcock said. “I think this is a good match for the Solid Waste Department.”

County Grant Coordinator Sue Cooper originally applied for the funds through the KDHE’s Solid Waste Division.

“Under this grant, the county would purchase two trailers and several electronic recycling bins to place at the college,” Hathcock said. Then the college, Sunflower and Rosewood would be responsible for removing the recycled materials. 

“This supports recycling and is saving the landfill,” Hathcock said. “It is a good opportunity for us to support all three of these partners in the community, as well as recycle.”

“I think it is important for us to continue to try to support recycling when we can,” District 5 Commissioner Jennifer Schartz said. “I think everybody could dream of a way to have at-home pickup and all of those kinds of things, but that’s not feasible for us, at least at this time.”