Byron Recycling Center ‘Eye Sore’ on Community

BYRON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)-Trash has taken over Byron’s recycling center and residents are fed up.  Residents tell 41NBC the center, which is located in the heart of the historic district, is an eye sore.

“We have this recycling center that actually looks like a dump. All the cardboard, all the junk, the glass…and it shouldn’t be that way,’ says Rick Knowles.

Byron Mayor Larry Collins says it’s a problem he hears about constantly, but the city doesn’t own the land the recycling center is on. Keep Peach County Clean and Beautiful rents the property from a private owner.

Knowles believes someone should be held accountable for the community wide issue. “I think everybody should recycle, but the people that own this piece of property and the people that are doing recycling must be making a dollar on it; they need to be held responsible to keep it clean 24/7.”

Mayor Larry Collins admits the recycling center is a disaster.

“The good news is folks are bringing stuff here. The bad news is it’s a mess,’ says Collins.

Knowles tells 41NBC he would like more security done around the recycling center, “put up a camera out there. Those people who are doing wrong need to be held responsible. This is our community and we should be proud of it,” says Knowles.

Mayor Collins also tells 41NBC he and city council are working on options to fix the recycling center. He says they are considering hiring a private company to handle all of the city’s recycling.

Keep Peach County Clean and Beautiful could not be reached for a comment.