LIBERTY – Pickens County recently pushed back the deadline for municipalities to comply with their recycling targets, but Liberty officials have already begun making arrangements to hit their 20 percent target.

Mayor Brian Deese told his council during the Jan. 4 city work session that he has asked for recycling bins to be placed by Public works, a recycling trailer for the city and a new cardboard bin to be placed behind Yanks.

Deese said the county received a grant for recycling and he hopes to receive some funds from the grant.

Councilman Rick Clark asked Deese why he would want to purchase a recycling trailer for the city.

Deese replied, “We want to do our own recycling of green bins instead of using the truck we use now. We will save about $8000 a year. Right now we help pay for the truck and the driver. Plus, if we recycle ourselves, we will get paid for it. It will help us meet our 20 percent goal.”

Deese told his councilmen the county is willing to help Liberty out, but it is their job as city officials to educate the public about the new pick-up times and exactly what they will accept for recycling.

Each municipality in the county is expected to reach the 20 percent target by April 30. If they do not meet the 20 percent rate, they could be fined $30 per ton, but if they exceed the 20 percent rate, they could be giving a rebate of $30 per ton for the amount over target.

Deese said he has talked with St. Jude about getting the left over metal from them. He said he hopes to talk with Reliable, Ohio Gear and Champion. However, Councilman Brian Peterson said, “We have to think about taking city officials outside of the city. It isn’t kosher.”