THVN previously reported on a proposed transfer station to be located on South State Road 63. Since that time Mayor Brandon Sakbun and County Commissioner Chris Switzer have written letters to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) opposing the station.

The Area Planning Commission also gave an unfavorable recommendation and as a result Joe Ford, owner and operator of the local trash company, The Trash Man, has withdrawn his petition for a variance from the BZA.

In his letter Switzer states that, “Our county is fortunate to already have strong partnerships in place – most notably with Republic Services and Vigo County Solid Waste Management,” and “Republic Services has proven repeatedly to be a reliable and community focused partner.”

Sakbun says in his letter that, “Vigo county already hosts a permitted landfill – Sycamore Ridge Landfill – which renders the need for a transfer station not only redundant, but potentially disruptive.”

Sakbun goes on to claim that, “if this request is approved, Vigo County will be the only County in Indiana with both a landfill and a transfer station.” According to the IDEM, however, there are 12 counties in Indiana operating landfills and transfer station.

According to the EPA’s Waste Transfer Station fact sheet, “Waste transfer stations make solid waste collection more efficient and reduce overall transportation costs, air emissions, energy use, truck traffic, and road wear and tear. This saves you and your community money and lowers the cost of your solid waste management services.”

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