Coweta

County took the first step Tuesday morning to revamping

its embattled recycling program.

Environmental

management director Eva Wagner said it would cost the

county between $125,000 and $175,000 for a facility and

equipment.

The

county's recycling program took a hit early last month

after county officials admitted that glass and plastic

recyclables were being placed into the general waste

stream.

But the

officials stressed that the situation should be fixed

soon after the county decides the best way to dispose of

the products.

The

situation started last summer, according to environmental

management director Eva Wagner, when the county received

a notice from its recycling provider, Newnan Salvage.

Officials

at the company told the county that because of a drop in

the market, recyclables would continue to be taken, but

no payment would be made for the material.

When the

county received the notice, officials started researching

and discovered viable markets for cardboard, newspaper,

tin and certain plastics.

Environmental

officials communicated the news to the commission, who

instructed the environmental department to send out bids

for a baler and a contract for recycling services.

When Newnan

Salvage received a copy of the bids in August, the firm

immediately informed the county that it would stop

receiving recyclables, Wagner said.

The

commissioners told the residents to keep recycling and

started stockpiling the cardboard, cans and newspapers

until a baler can be bought, added Wagner, but glass and

plastic were put in the general waste stream.

Once the

county completes research on the baler, Wagner expects

the recycling program to be operating like it should.

In the

meantime, the commissioners pointed out that all the

actions concerning the recycling program were taken

during open meetings and said residents should pay closer

attention to the actions of the board.

The board

unanimously approved the concept of starting its own

facility and seeking out contracts for recyclables.