Blaine County is the latest part of Idaho to feel the squeeze of falling recycling prices.
Earlier this week, Blaine County Commissioners put a stop to their mixed paper recycling program – something many Gem State communities are considering as well.
China, one of the world’s largest importers of recyclable materials, clamped down on what kind of items they’d accept in January – a move that’s reverberated throughout the international recycling market.
Now, more than a quarter of a million pounds of mixed paper is stacked at the county’s recycling center with nowhere to go, according to the Idaho Mountain Express.
Officials hope to find a new buyer soon, but the outlook is gloomy.
Recycling woes have also hit the Treasure Valley. Ada County has stopped accepting certain types of plastics and is considering raising rates.
Higher fees are also a possibility for Canyon County as officials debate their next move.
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