GOSHEN, Ind. (WSBT) — Goshen city leaders say illegal dumping is getting so bad that they have to close the recycling center on Indiana Avenue until something can be done to stop it.
Leaders now have to take a closer look at long-term options for the facility.
It’s causing an inconvenience for those who come to actually dump recycling items, but leaders say violators are burdening staff and increasing operating costs.
A locked fence and a sign that reads ‘closed due to dumping’ is the new entrance at the Indiana Avenue recycling center in Goshen.
“It’s just unfortunate, a few bad situations wreck it for a lot of people,” said Todd Hahn, Nappanee resident.
Opened in 2023, the city of Goshen closed the site on Friday after repeated violations.
Despite video surveillance, a perimeter fence, and issuing 34 violations, illegal dumping continues to be a major problem.
“That’s the biggest thing is that people are just dumping trash,” said Hahn.
Now for people like Hahn who live in Nappanee, the closure is a loss of a resource.
“I understand the problems that it creates. I try to separate things the right way, all the right plastics and no foam, no plastic bags, things like that that they can’t use,” said Hahn.
The city says items like pool-liners, bug-infested mattress, and even dead chickens were being dumped.
Goshen’s mayor says if the city has to provide ongoing staffing to prevent illegal dumping, they can’t afford to reopen.
“I’ve really been appreciative because they keep it so clean and everything. But I did notice that there had been sometimes people dump things that they shouldn’t in there,” said Obie Oberholser, Goshen resident.
But with the only recycling center in Elkhart County closed for people like Hahn and his recycled materials, Hahn says, “I’ll probably just throw it in the trash. There’s nothing else I can do with it.”
City leaders will discuss whether the long-term benefits of maintaining this site are feasible with the operational and financial challenges caused by continued illegal dumping.