Leland curbside recycling program not at risk

As we reported yesterday, the value of recycled materials has taken a big hit in the past few months.

That being said, Leland’s curbside recycling program, set to begin in February, is not at risk.

Waste Industries signed a 5-year contract with Brunswick County to provide the program. The company’s general manager, Greg Brinkley, said he plans to fulfill the contract.

Even with a drastic drop in the profitability of recycling, Brinkley said it’s still important. “The big thing is recycling is still the right thing to do. But it’s come to a point now where the expense of it is coming to the same as what it would cost to dispose of the trash.”

Brinkley noted recycling has other benefits too, like conserving space in our landfills. While 30 curbside recycling programs have been cut throughout the state in the past few months, towns like Sunset Beach are in the early stages of starting new curbside service.