Springfield, Illinois, to create city-run organics disposal site

The city of Springfield, Illinois is working to create a city-run facility for organic waste like yard waste and branches, reports WICS.

On Feb. 22, the Springfield City Council approved close to $3 million in funding for the new site.

The city is currently contracted with local waste hauler Evan’s Recycling, which offers free disposal of organic waste like leaves and branches. Evans also accepts branch and yard waste pickups from the city’s public works department.

Public Works Director Nate Bottom told WICS that Evan’s will no longer operate the organics waste service in the next few years, so the city is planning ahead to create a new disposal location.

“We wanted to make sure that in planning for the future, that we would have a site that could function, as well as expand it to where we could do composting as well,” Bottom says.

The city plans to spend $800,000 to purchase a new property for the site, and $1 million will go towards prepping the new disposal site. The public works department plans to begin purchasing equipment soon, as well.

According to WICS, Evan’s Recycling will continue organics services through next year, which is when the city anticipatess beginning phasing in the new site.