MOUNT VERNON — Matt Baugher gets excited about reducing waste.
The director of Knox County Recycling and Litter Prevention is especially excited about launching a new program that could ultimately result in nearly zero solid waste among local businesses.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, businesses generate about 25% of waste annually.
The Delaware-Knox-Marrion-Morrow Solid Waste District created a new waste audit program, which Baugher said works similarly to a DKMM grant.
“We talked to Happy Bean, Cosmic Dave’s, Half Baked Bistro, and a bunch of different downtown businesses and basically asked, ‘Do you guys want to become roommates and share a recycling dumpster?’” he told the county commissioners earlier this month.
In return for the businesses paying for the service, DKMM will perform a waste audit and educate employees about recycling.
“It’s a good way for a business to learn how themselves and all their employees can better divert waste,” Baugher said. “If we lock in, we could honestly get Happy Bean pretty close to zero waste in the next couple of years. So we’re really excited to roll this out.”
Mount Vernon High School seniors Evi Brody and Colin McFarlane are helping promote the program. The students contacted Baugher to see if they could do a project on recycling and litter prevention.
“They are both part of what’s called the Global Scholars projects. They’re both considering environmental careers,” Baugher explained.
“They each had separate ideas, but we’ve kind of merged.”
McFarlane’s project involved environmental education in schools.
In addition to promoting the business waste audit, the students and Baugher are talking with Dan Emmett, Wiggins Street, and East Knox elementary schools to develop presentations on litter prevention and why it matters.
Compost facility greatly improved
Baugher said the compost facility on Thayer Road is in much better shape than this time last year. Fredericktown-based Green Machine manages the facility.
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Baugher said the Ohio EPA and health department requested updated paperwork on compost pile layouts and the amount of material coming in and going out.
“The only conflict at the compost facility is the compost pile keeps smoldering, so we’ve been keeping an eye on that,” Baugher said.
“It gets hot and sometimes it smokes a little bit, but overall 2025 is a much, much more successful year. Green Machine’s been doing a good job getting the material out, which keeps it safer.”
Commissioner Barry Lester asked whether the public would use more of the free mulch if it were loaded into their vehicles vs. having to load it themselves.
“It would be busy; we would have to make a lot of plans for this, but if we did a Saturday where we have a loader, yes. If you guys are interested in doing occasional events, that’d be great,” Baugher responded.
Upcoming recycling and litter prevention opportunities
Baugher said his department will again co-sponsor Trash Take Back Day on May 9 at Ariel-Foundation Park.
“Just like at your personal home, spring cleaning is no joke around here,” he told the commissioners.
“Whether it’s litter on the side of the road or helping people with subsidized events to get rid of trash tires to keep it out of the river or the side of the road in the first place, that’s a big focus of the department.”
River cleanup. Every Saturday throughout March and April, Friends of the Kokosing will clean up roads parallel to or near the river. Anyone interested in helping the nonprofit with litter cleanup can visit its Facebook page or contact Baugher.
Household hazardous waste events. On the second and fourth Wednesdays, April through September, residents can drop off household hazardous waste. The fee is $20 a carload. However, residents must call Jenna Hicks at DKMM at 419-751-2290 and let her know what material is being dropped off.
Electronics recycling. Residents can drop off TVs and other electronics on the first Friday of each month at the Gambier Community Center.
Community recycling bins. A list of community recycling bins is found on the Knox County commissioners’ website. Bins are serviced on Mondays and Fridays; some of the more rural ones are serviced on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Other upcoming events include:
•Tire take-back event with Mount Vernon on March 28
•Shred Day with CES Credit Union in May
