Kentucky City Announces Temporary Suspension of Paper Recycling

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Lexington’s Recycle Center in 360 Thompson Road, Lexington, Kentucky has temporarily stopped accepting paper products for recycling. The suspension is with immediate effect, said a recent news release from the Lexington City government office. The recent changes in the marketplace for recycled materials are cited as the reason behind the decision.

According to Nancy Albright, Lexington’s commissioner of environmental quality and public works, the overabundance of paper products in domestic market has led to outlets accepting only limited amounts of the material. The Recycle Center lacks storage space to hold large quantities of paper for a longer period. Consequently, it has decided to stop accepting paper products temporarily, she said.

The City is in the process of finding new recycling outlets for paper. It expects three new mills in Lexington area to start receiving materials by late fall this year. Until then, residents are advised to reduce paper waste as much as possible or throw paper products such as office paper, newspaper, magazines, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls and similar products in trash, the news release noted. Further, it also warned of burning the paper waste, as it could lead to release of toxic fumes.

As Lexington is yet to find a buyer for dry corrugated cardboard, residents should continue recycling them, it added.