The Interim Director for the Shawnee County Recycle Department asked the county commission Thursday for 3 new workers.

Why is there a need for more workers?

Well the answer is simple, there are more people recycling.

Many people in the recycling business suspect it’s because of the word “green”.

Steve Bolton with Shawnee County refuse and recycling says of the 21 recycling drop off sites in the county, there are four new ones just this year and two more in the works.

Cranston Recycling in Topeka reports a 50% increase in business this year and materials coming into the business have doubled.

Co-owner Terra Tecchio said she thinks the numbers aren’t just a trend, but will keep getting bigger with time.

“It’s wonderful that people are becoming more aware and seeing what kind of an effect we are having and that it can be changed, that we can try to reverse the damage we have done,” Tecchio said.


“I've only got my numbers up through June right now. The total amount of recyclables taken into this department as compared to through June of last year is almost 700,000 more pounds.” Bolton said.

Last year there was close to 14 million pounds of recyclables and this year there could be potentially be two million more pounds.

The more than seven million pounds of recycling Shawnee County already has this year is equal to nearly 2,500 Honda Accords.