One part of life might feel more normal for Emmet County residents.
Emmet County Recycling resumed curbside recycling on April 6, after a temporary suspension began on March 23.
Communications Coordinator with the Emmet County Department of Public Works, Kate Melby said about 60 percent of residents in the county use curbside recycling.
She said more than 80 percent of residents recycle.
“I think it’s a point of pride,” Melby said. “It’s something little that people can do everyday that feels like they’re contributing to good in the world and to have that frozen was yet another sad disruption of life.”
Melby said paper and cardboard continued to be collected throughout the outbreak, but the facility could not collect mixed containers at the time, due to work conditions for the sorting crew.
She said the way the mixed container sorting line was set up, the work crew was unable to maintain social distancing.
Now, Melby said cardboard barriers have been placed between each worker to protect workers. She said other protections include workers wearing gloves, masks and some wear eye gear.
She said paper and cardboard run through a different sorting line, where the workers could remain six feet apart.
