South Dakota city seeks funding for $2.6M recycling transfer station

City officials in Mitchell, South Dakota, are seeking money to help fund a $2.68 million recycling transfer station to replace its current operations. If approved, construction for the station could begin as early as the first quarter of 2023.

Public Works Director Joe Schroeder says the Solid Waste Management grant from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources would cover about 30 percent of the project costs, meaning the city would pay an estimated $1.8 million.

“When we began collecting our own recycling [in 2020], the facility we were using was our old landfill and an existing building we had,” Schroeder says. “For setting up our program, it worked. Moving forward, logistically, and the repairs needed to keep that as an operational facility just wasn't making sense.”

Previously, Mitchell used private hauler Dependable Recycling in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to collect its recycling. The city cut ties with the company after a number of residents reported various issues, including not collecting all the recyclables that had been placed in bins, according to a report from local news organization Mitchell Republic.

Schroeder adds the existing transfer station is in poor condition, including roof damage, has no heating or cooling and causes several logistical issues for the city of Mitchell.

The station’s location is less than ideal, requiring drivers to transfer materials 8 miles across town to the Mitchell Regional Landfill. Located at the city’s former landfill site, the station makes it hard for residents to drop off materials because of the lack of public access. Schroeder says if the city were to invest in infrastructure for the existing station, it would require a road to be built from a highway so residents could get to it.

The station’s small size also contributed to the decision to move. The city revamped its recycling collection process to a single-stream system, which it says increased collection of paper products, plastic bottles, glass containers and more. Additionally, the transfer station takes in material from 30 communities in the area.

“When we first started in 2020, we received about 790 tons of recycled material,” Schroeder says. “In '21, and '22, we're looking to be on pace for about 940 tons.”

The proposed station will be 12,500 square feet and will be next to the city’s landfill to ensure the seven employees working at the landfill and the three working at the transfer station will be able to work together to increase efficiency, reduce downtime and cut down expenses like fuel and truck maintenance.

The station also will have 28-foot insulated side walls, organized push barrier walls and better road access for residents and city workers.

Schroeder says the city is already in the design phase of the project. If approved in January, construction of the facility will begin soon after.