Parkersburg Approves Rumpke Recycling Contract

City Council votes 7-2 to restore curbside recycling program with subscription-based model

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Parkersburg City Council voted 7-2 to approve the first reading of an ordinance that would establish a subscription-based curbside recycling program with Rumpke of Ohio. The new plan would require citywide participation at a rate of $1.50 per month, with those choosing to recycle paying an additional $3 per month. The council also approved the first reading of an ordinance to amend the municipal code to reflect the proposed recycling contract and a slight reduction in the monthly sanitation fee.

Why it matters

The approval of the Rumpke recycling contract restores a service that the city is statutorily obligated to provide for its residents. The new program aims to increase recycling participation rates and divert more waste from the landfill, which can lead to cost savings for the city.

The details

The recycling contract with Rumpke of Ohio will provide curbside pickup every other week using green Rumpke bins. Rumpke will accept a wide range of recyclable items, but drivers will tag bins that contain trash or unrecyclable materials. The city is also amending its municipal code to reflect the new recycling contract and a slight reduction in the monthly sanitation fee.

  • The first reading of the recycling contract ordinance was approved on February 12, 2026.
  • The final reading of the recycling contract and sanitation amendment ordinances will be on February 24, 2026.

The players

Parkersburg City Council

The governing body of the City of Parkersburg, West Virginia, which voted on the recycling contract ordinance.

Nick Rupert

A sales representative for Rumpke of Ohio, who spoke about the company's recycling services and facility.

Tom Joyce

The Mayor of Parkersburg, who applauded the efforts to secure the recycling contract with Rumpke.

Eric Jiles

The Finance Director for the City of Parkersburg, who confirmed the contract terms with Rumpke.

Wendy Tuck

A Parkersburg City Council member who cast one of the two dissenting votes on the recycling contract ordinance.

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What they’re saying

“We determined that the best compromise would be to require citywide participation at a very small rate of $1.50 with those choosing to recycle paying three more dollars each a month.”

— Andrew Borkowski, Parkersburg City Council President (newsandsentinel.com)

“What this ordinance does and what this contract does is … restores a service that we are statutorily obligated to provide for our residents.”

— Tom Joyce, Mayor of Parkersburg (newsandsentinel.com)

“We don't want bags and we don't want trash … if he (Rumpke drivers) notices there's trash in it … he's going to tag it.”

— Nick Rupert, Rumpke of Ohio Sales Representative (newsandsentinel.com)

What’s next

The recycling contract and sanitation amendment ordinances will be on final reading at the Parkersburg City Council meeting on February 24, 2026.

The takeaway

The approval of the Rumpke recycling contract represents a compromise solution that aims to increase citywide participation in recycling while keeping costs low for residents. This move aligns with the city's statutory obligation to provide recycling services and can lead to long-term cost savings by diverting more waste from the landfill.