Neighbors in Eagle say recycling area misuse is burdening small-town staff

EAGLE, Neb. (KLKN) — Neighbors in the small village of Eagle say what is meant to be a convenient recycling drop-off site is increasingly being used as a dumping ground for trash.

Photos shared by residents show trash bags, food waste and other non-accepted items mixed with cardboard, paper and approved recyclables.

The contamination can result in entire batches of recycling being discarded or require city staff to spend additional hours manually sorting materials.

“As a small town, you have to be mindful that someone does have to clean this up,” Willa DiCostanzo said.

Village officials said clear signage is posted at the site outlining what materials are accepted. Despite those efforts, improper dumping continues.

The extra labor comes at a cost. During the most recent cleanup, two village staff members and a concerned resident spent about an hour clearing out misplaced trash and sorting recyclables.

“It’s frustrating when that happens,” the resident said, noting that the additional work pulls staff away from other community needs.

Officials said the village is shifting its focus to education, reminding residents that if an item is not on the approved list, it should not be left at the site.

“If you want to recycle, you need to be responsible in recycling and completing it correctly,” another resident said. “If you don’t, there’s a detriment to many people involved in this process.”

Village leaders hope renewed outreach and community cooperation will reduce contamination and keep the recycling site operating efficiently for everyone.