NewsCovering Kentucky

Actions

Lexington Recycling Center Temporarily Shutdown Due To Equipment Failure

Posted at 11:28 AM, Apr 18, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-18 11:28:27-04

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– Lexington’s recycling center is temporarily shut down because of a gearbox motor failure on the facility’s main conveyor belt.

The center is shut down Thursday and Friday.

Waste Management drivers will collect recyclables during the shutdown. The materials collected will be diverted to the Bluegrass Regional Transfer Station and sent to a landfill. The city resists diverting recycled materials, but is unable to store materials outside of the facility.

The disabled conveyor belt carries sorted materials to the center’s baling machine. The main gearbox motor was rebuilt a couple of years ago and has processed more than 70,000 tons of material since.

Barry Prater, who manages the recycling center, says the city plans to replace the broken gear motor with a new one, and then to rebuild the broken motor and have it as a spare.

Prater anticipates being able to reopen the recycling center on Monday.

Participants in the recycling program can help prevent future mechanical issues by recycling properly and keeping recyclable materials dry by closing lids on carts and dumpster to prevent moisture from getting in. Unwanted and wet materials place additional stress on mechanical components and can place employees at risk.