Charleston Recycling Coordinator Jeff Lahr is trying to find a new place for local residents to recycle.

“We want find something that is accessible and safe for people,” he said.

Lahr, who also serves on Charleston City Council, said concerns over these issues and other were the reason the city started searching for a new recycling location.

He said the main problem with relocating the bin is finding a location that meets specific criteria necessary for recycling pick-up.

“There’s a lot of different factors,” Lahr said.

The factors include a well-lit, safe area with a surface that can handle the weight of recycling collectors.

The weight issue has proven to be the most prevalent issue Lahr has encountered in his search thus far.

Lahr mentioned the old Wal-Mart site as one place that might work as a location for the bin, but said it would not work because the black top surface of the site would be torn up by the recycling collection trucks.

While public concerns are important when considering a location, Lahr said he also speaks with business owners about placing and asks them if they would agree to have a recycle bin near their businesses.

Lahr discusses with them the history and costs of the recycling program, which are picked up by the city, to help them decide if they want it on their property.

So far, he said, at most of the places he has considered, the owners have had no objection about the placement of the bin.

Lahr said he has been involved with the city’s recycling program since 1998.

He said the city is partnered with Oakland, Ashmore and Humboldt in their recycling efforts and uses Veolia Environmental Services to transport their recyclables to a facility in Chicago.

Richard Galloway, general manager of Veolia, said he hopes the bin will be not be moved far from its present location near Route 16

The accessible location makes it easier for people to find the bin, Galloway said.

“The easier you make it, the more people will recycle,” he said.

Galloway said if the bin is not kept near its present location, he hopes it will be placed somewhere near the center of town.

He said he also would like to see another bin placed somewhere else in town.

The bin is being moved primarily because it is “in the way” of the development of McDonalds and the fire station, Galloway said.

Galloway said the bin needs to be in a large, open area where people will be able to access it without blocking traffic. The town also needs to consider a location where trucks would have no problem emptying the bin.

“I’m hopeful that wherever they put it will be in an area where it will be easy for everyone to get to,” he said.

Galloway said he has been asked to make suggestions about the location of the bin and to examine possible sites to see if they are adequate.

He said the most important factors for the recycling company itself is to have at least a 25 foot height clearance with enough room for the truck to get in and out of the area.

Galloway also said the area needs to have a concrete pad at least three times the size of the bin to allow room for the truck and others to get around the bin.

Veolia also provide recycling pick-ups for several towns in Douglas County.

Jordan Crook can be reached at 581-7945 or at jscrook@eiu.edu.