About the PORTAGE COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT - Portage county recycling

The Portage County Solid Waste District was established in 1989 in compliance with an Ohio law that required each county to form or join a “District” and take responsibility for providing recycling opportunities for their waste stream.

The Portage County Solid Waste Management Plan made a strong commitment to public ownership of a recycling processing center.  In response to this commitment, the District purchased a $2,200,000 recycling/transfer station located at 3588 Mogadore Road, Brimfield Township, Portage County, Ohio, to replace the former District Recycling Facility located on Marvin Street in the City of Kent.

Ohio law allows Solid Waste Districts to fund their recycling programs by collecting a fee on solid waste disposed in landfills and transfer stations. The law requires Ohio landfills and transfer stations to collect fees on behalf of Districts and remit the fees monthly to the appropriate Solid Waste District. The Portage County Solid Waste Management District is funded by a $9.60 per ton generation fee that is charged on waste originating in Portage County.

To reach current recycling standards, Portage County Recycling has converted from dual-stream to single-stream curbside collection. Now, all recyclables that previously had to be separated can be placed in one 95 Gallon container. The single-stream method of recycling makes it easier and more convenient to recycle. Portage County Recycling also has purchased five new automated trucks to replace its outdated collection trucks, creating a safer, more efficient means of collecting recyclable materials. The new trucks will allow the drivers to stay in the vehicle and use mechanical arms to collect the recyclables. The automated trucks and single-stream collection have resulted in higher participation rates which, in turn, helps keep Portage County beautiful.

The District does not receive funding from the county general fund. It operates as an enterprise fund, which means it relies on its own revenue to cover operational costs.