Litter Landing limits dropoffs

Effective Wednesday, Litter Landing Recycling Center, 1720 E. Sandusky St., operated by Hancock County Solid Waste Management District, will reduce its days of operation for public access. A news release from the solid waste district states "This action is needed due to a variety of issues including nonrecyclable material contamination, facility abuse, illegal dumping as well as a lack of on-site material handlers and facility staff." Public access will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The facility will be closed to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays. On Tuesday, The Courier reported that the solid waste district has begun pulling its remote recycling stations from service due to ongoing problems with trash being dumped at the sites. Courtney B. Comstock, director of Litter Landing, detailed piles of trash, used diapers, food scraps, Styrofoam, plastic bags, aluminum siding and plastic toys being left at both the modules and Litter Landing. She said materials are also being left in piles on the ground near the modulars, despite signs stating that it is unlawful to do so. "We will be adjusting/limiting public hours again very soon to deal with the contamination and abuse of the units and the facility. Recycling properly is the only way to keep the units and the facility available to residents," Comstock said. Litter Landing will still have court-ordered community service volunteer opportunities during the week. Contact the office for details. "Understanding that this will again be a community adjustment, we strongly encourage residents to keep recycling ... by simply recycling correctly at your local modular units and at the facility can help keep the program thriving," the news release states. "The illegal dumping, contamination and abuse of this free community program continues to cause costly program delays." Contact the solid waste district at 419-424-1113 for more details.