ST. CROIX FALLS, Wis. -- The Polk County Recycling Center is currently undergoing major upgrades that will continue into the fall.
Initiated in August of last year, the project was awarded to Berghammer Construction Corporation. The comprehensive upgrades to the Center include a 500-gallon waste oil tank, fire suppression systems for the building, and a precast concrete addition and expansion—including a new drive-up area for improved safety and visitor experience.
The enhancements stem from a comprehensive analysis conducted by Foth Inc. in 2021, after Polk County identified the need to improve productivity, safety, and cost-effectiveness at the Recycling Center. After analyzing different options, the Polk County Board of Supervisors opted to allocate 1.62 million in ARPA funds to support necessary upgrades. However, it was quickly realized that costs for these upgrades were going to exceed the initially allocated 1.62 million, and at the recommendation of their consultant, the Board of Supervisors allocated an additional 1.5 million in ARPA funds in the 2023 budget.
These upgrades aren’t the only new things coming to Polk County residents; Polk County was also awarded a grant through Recycling Partnership to purchase additional recycling bins that will be able to offer more recycling opportunities to residents that currently don’t have access to recycling. The new locations will be available in the fall of 2024 and will include Apple River Township, McKinley Township, Laketown Township, and possibly Sterling Township.
The Polk County Recycling Center remains operational during construction, and residents are encouraged to utilize the drop-off bins already located throughout the county.
About Polk County Recycling Center
The Polk County Recycling Center, a dual stream source separating facility, is proudly owned and operated by the county. It plays a crucial role in diverting over 3,000,000 pounds of waste annually, preventing it from reaching the landfill. Residents must sort recyclables into three types: bottles and jars, paper, and cardboard.
The Polk County Recycling Center operates from Monday to Thursday, 6:45 am to 4:30 pm, and has extended hours on Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The center will be putting on a Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Collection event scheduled for Thursday, August 22nd, from 2-6. For more details on this event, visit here.
Last Update: May 24, 2024 2:16 pm CDT
