Marquette County anticipates trash influx post pandemic
As we settle into the fourth week of the stay home stay safe order, Marquette County is preparing for a significant rise in total waste.
MARQUETTE — As we settle into the fourth week of the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, Marquette County is preparing for a significant rise in total waste.
With the executive order deeming many businesses non–essential, the Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority has seen a significant drop off in commercial refuse. However, the size of residential tonnages continues to climb as citizens are ordered to stay home.
This comes as some grocery stores suspend recycling collection to focus employees on keeping shelves stocked. Leading many to speculate that there will be a large influx of waste when Michiganders return to work.
“Certainly, I think we could see a rush, and I think eventually it will level off.” Said Brad Austin, Director of Operations for the Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority. “From our perspective, we are set up here with our automated scale system, and there is nothing our processing here that we won’t be able to handle. It’s not going to turn on the light switch on May 4 th and away we go. I think there is going to be a measured approach to this moving forward, in all facets, not just in work. I think it’s going to be that way across the board.”
The Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority still plans to unveil its new single stream recycling program in October of this year, and maintains that construction is on schedule despite the obstacles of Governor Whitmer’s executive order.