MORGANTOWN — Monongalia County Commission is working out the details of a lease agreement that will allow it to move its recycling drop-off location to a dedicated space in the Morgantown Industrial Park.
It’s been in the parking lot next to Westover City Hall since the 2014 collapse of the countywide recycling program operated by the Monongalia County Solid Waste Authority.
According to Commissioner Tom Bloom, the move is anticipated in mid-to-late July.
Bloom said the county is grateful for Westover’s patience in accommodating what was initially meant to be a temporary, stop-gap facility, as well as the willingness of Enrout Properties – owner of the industrial park – to help create an affordable, permanent recycling center closer to the Mountaineer Transfer Station, which is also located within the industrial park.
“I really think this can be a win-win for everyone right now,” Bloom said.
While the Westover drop site has been active – more than 1 million pounds collected in 2024 – it’s been plagued with problems, primarily contamination and off-hours dumping.
Bloom said the new site will not only be outfitted with cameras, it’ll be located on private property being leased by the county.
He said he’s pushing for fines to be levied for those identified either dumping material at the site or using the recycling bins as Dumpsters.
It’s a waste of everyone’s time and money, Bloom continued, if the contents of county recycling bins end up in a landfill because they can’t meet contamination thresholds.
“I’m adamant that we’ll find them and fine them. I want people to know that this is our last chance of having a recycling program without the contamination, and I want it to work,” he said.
Since the creation of the Westover site, hours of operation have been a major frustration. Would-be users point out the 7 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday schedule prevents anyone working day shift from accessing the free site.
Unfortunately, Bloom said, those hours of operation will remain in effect, and may even be reduced to 7 a.m.- 3 p.m.
One, he explained, the site can only run when the transfer station is active. Two, the county has a single employee operating the program. Bloom said if the county were to try to open the site a few hours on Saturday mornings, he would likely have to do it himself.
“I’m sorry, but unfortunately the hours cannot change. We don’t have the staff,” he said.
