Plan Commission Recommends Council Approval of Recycling Operation

Effingham City Plan commissioners Tuesday voted to recommend the City Council grant a special-use permit for a recycling operation.

The business, Polygone Recycling, is owned by Kirk and Emily Hartke and their son Kyle. The Hartkes plan to operate the business south of their house at 16788 North 1200th Street, which is northwest of Effingham. 

Kyle Hartke said the plan is to collect polyethylene pipe and barrels. They will shred the material and then deliver it for further use. Hartke said the profit is in having a local handler of the plastic, known as plastics 2 and 5, rather than vendors having to haul the materials to other recyclers that are in larger, more distant cities.

The site is not envisioned to be the permanent home of the business. Hartke said as the business grows, they will relocate to a larger more permanent site.

The Commission also recommended the Council amend the City Zoning Ordinance to allow the recycling center in a non-urban territory.

Commissioners also approved a site plan for Dust and Son at 500 West Wernsing, where they plan to put up a 6,110 square foot hoop building.