Athens, February 18, 2026 – The Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department’s ambitious plan to construct a new Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) and relocate the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) has hit a major roadblock: insufficient funding. The project, vital for modernizing the county’s recycling infrastructure, is currently on hold as officials grapple with escalating construction costs.
Funding Cuts and Soaring Costs Halt MRF Project
Initially, the Solid Waste Department had sought $16 million from SPLOST 2020 funds to build a 30,000 square-foot facility. This figure was meticulously calculated after months of planning and consultation. However, the Athens-Clarke County Commission requested a reduction in sales tax funding applications, leading to the MRF’s budget being slashed to $8 million and its timeline pushed to 2025.
Solid Waste Director Suki Janssen confirmed that the reduced allocation is now far from adequate. “Times have changed,” Janssen stated, citing the same skyrocketing construction costs that have affected numerous other projects. The current $8 million will not be “close to sufficient” to build the necessary facility.
The Need for a Modern Recycling Facility
The existing MRF, now 32 years old, is in dire need of replacement. Its machinery was designed to handle large quantities of newsprint, a feature no longer relevant in today’s recycling landscape. A new, up-to-the-minute MRF is crucial for efficient processing of current recyclable materials.
Janssen highlighted that the recycling market for cardboard and aluminum remains strong. Furthermore, a new manufacturer is reportedly interested in the county’s recycled glass, and No. 1 and No. 2 plastics continue to have a good market. A modern facility would significantly enhance the county’s ability to capitalize on these markets.
Lithium Batteries Pose Fire Risk and Divert Funds
Adding to the financial strain, the Solid Waste Department is now required to install water tanks at the landfill. This unexpected expense, necessary for fire suppression, is diverting funds away from the MRF project. The primary cause of these fires, both in landfills and sanitation trucks across the country, is lithium batteries.
Janssen explained that any rechargeable battery, including those found in phones, laptops, small toys, and even discarded vape cases, is combustible. When these batteries are disposed of with regular trash and then compacted in a truck, they can ignite. To mitigate this risk, sanitation truck drivers have been instructed to tip out burning loads wherever they are, rather than risk losing an entire truck, which can cost nearly half a million dollars. All batteries can be safely recycled at the CHaRM facility.
Expanded Services for Clarke County Residents
Despite the challenges, the Solid Waste Department has expanded some of its services. They are now picking up “bulky waste” for all Clarke County residents. This includes items that don’t fit into standard trash receptacles, such as old lawnmowers, broken wheelbarrows, or collapsed couches, excluding construction debris or hazardous materials.
In November, county workers collected 23.9 tons of bulky waste, followed by 18.1 tons in December (a decrease attributed to UGA students being away). This service is proving to be cost-effective for the county, as it is cheaper than dealing with illegal dumping, which costs approximately $1 million annually to clean up. Residents can schedule up to four free bulky waste pickups per year by calling the Solid Waste Department.
Another welcome change for homeowners is the increased frequency of leaf-and-limb collection. Janssen has successfully staffed this service, allowing for collections every four weeks instead of the previous six-week schedule.
The search for additional funding to realize the new Materials Recycling Facility continues, as the county aims to build a sustainable and efficient waste management system for the future.
Source: https://flagpole.com/news/city-dope/2026/02/18/new-athens-recycling-facility-on-hold-due-to-lack-of-funding/
