Washington County Recycling Center Sees Slight Decline

Supervisors hear report of lower tonnage for both trash and recycling in the first quarter of 2026 compared to 2025.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:15pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph featuring blurred, overlapping shapes and pools of warm color, conceptually representing the local community's recycling and waste management efforts.Soft, hazy imagery captures the quiet, everyday routines of recycling and waste disposal in a local community grappling with shifting participation rates.Washington Today

The Washington County Recycling Center has experienced a modest decline in usage, according to a report presented to the county's Board of Supervisors. Trash tonnage dropped from 184.94 tons in the first quarter of 2025 to 176.85 tons in the same period of 2026. Recycling tonnage also decreased slightly, from 52.65 tons in Q1 2025 to 51.87 tons in Q1 2026.

Why it matters

The decline in usage at the county recycling center reflects broader trends of reduced recycling participation, which can have environmental and financial impacts on local waste management programs. Understanding the reasons behind these shifts can help the county develop strategies to boost recycling rates and divert more waste from landfills.

The details

Lynn Whaley of WEMIGA Waste, which operates the Washington County Recycling Center, presented the usage data to the Board of Supervisors. The report showed a small but noticeable drop in both trash and recycling tonnages for the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period the previous year.

  • The first quarter of 2025 saw 184.94 tons of trash and 52.65 tons of recycling.
  • In the first quarter of 2026, trash tonnage decreased to 176.85 and recycling tonnage decreased to 51.87.

The players

Lynn Whaley

Representative from WEMIGA Waste, the company that operates the Washington County Recycling Center.

Washington County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of Washington County that oversees the county's recycling program.

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What’s next

The supervisors acknowledged the report and noted that all information about the county's recycling program is available on the county website.

The takeaway

While the decline in recycling center usage is modest, it reflects a broader trend that local governments must monitor closely. Developing strategies to boost participation and divert more waste from landfills will be crucial for Washington County to meet its environmental goals.