Riley County Weighs $15K Glass Recycling Subsidy

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Riley County commissioners are deciding whether to continue a long-running $15,000 annual subsidy to help cover the costs of glass recycling for local residents. The county has contracted with a recycling company since 2010, but officials say the subsidy barely covers the true costs of the program.

Why it matters

Glass recycling programs are often challenging to sustain financially, leading some municipalities to scale back or eliminate them. Riley County's subsidy has helped maintain this service, but the county must weigh the value of continuing this investment against other budget priorities.

The details

Since 2010, Riley County has contracted with Howie's Recycling (now Bison Ridge Recycling) to provide glass recycling services, typically in five-year terms. The current contract is set to expire at the end of this month, and the county must decide whether to renew it and maintain the $15,000 annual subsidy from the general fund. Planning director Amanda Webb noted that the county's contribution 'nowhere near covers what they pay' and that the program 'is not profitable at all'.

• The current Riley County glass recycling contract expires at the end of February 2026.
• Riley County has provided a $15,000 annual subsidy for glass recycling since 2010.

What’s next

Riley County commissioners will decide in the coming weeks whether to renew the glass recycling contract and continue the $15,000 annual subsidy.