Mt. Pleasant recycling site closing

MT. PLEASANT — Republic Services of Iowa, which has provided drop-off recycling services in Mt. Pleasant, is closing its doors.

Friday, May 28, will be the last day it takes materials for recycling.

A new service, operated by the Des Moines County Regional Solid Waste Commission, is planning to take over those services, but there will be a gap.

“We hope to have a facility open sometime in June,” said Hal Morton, executive director of the commission.

They were hoping to have it open yet this month, but there is been a holdup in getting equipment and identifying suppliers.

Mt. Pleasant officials learned of Republic plans earlier this month.

City Administrator Brent Schleisman, who sits on the commission board, called Morton and asked for help in providing the services that Republic was closing.

The plan is to open a recycling site in Mt. Pleasant for drop-off recycling materials. Morton said the commission is working on a site. He is waiting on phone calls to confirm the planned location.

The new site will operate two days a week — Wednesday and Friday — from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The site will take recycling items from residents — Morton said pickup truckloads or smaller. The site will be staffed.

“This is all happening quick,” Schleisman said.