Recycle costs county $47,000 in 2019

Whitman County commissioners learned Jan. 21 costs for 2019 recycling.

The county lost $47,000 on single-stream recycling. The total represents out-of-pocket costs, not including equipment or labor.

"The plan so far is to continue to recycle, even though it costs a lot of money," said Mark Storey, Public Works director.

"Is there gonna be a market on single-stream recycling?" asked Commissioner Dean Kinzer. "I don't see it turning around soon."

In 2017, county recycling numbers were still a net positive. In 2018 it became a loss and grew the next year. In monthly terms, the county loses $2,000...