Garbage agency in Ohio sees decline in trash, cash

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — A public trash agency in Ohio is having money trouble because of a decline in garbage blamed largely on economic factors.

Executive director Yolanda Walker of the Summit-Akron Solid Waste Management Authority told the agency’s board this week that the financial problems are getting close to “crisis mode.” The Akron Beacon Journal reports the authority’s income during the first three months of the year was down 23.5 percent compared to the same period last year.

Most of that money comes from a $5-per-ton fee on waste produced in Summit County.

Akron public works manager Paul Barnett says a lackluster economy may not be the only reason there’s less trash. He says residents tend to throw less stuff away when snow is deep, as it was this winter.