06/09/2026
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, Putnam County hosted their Residential Medication/Recycling Event at the Putnam County Educational Service Center parking lot. This year was a record year with tonnage on materials and for the number of households serviced. We had 419 cars that took advantage of this event from all over Putnam County. We definitely were tested by the rainy weather that day! We would like to thank all of the sponsors, volunteers, contributors and agencies that made this day possible- Unverferth Mfg., K & L Ready, Pro-Tec Coating Company, Sarka Electric, Atalys, KMI, Verhoff Machine & Welding, Ottawa True Value, Putnam Co. Sheriff, Village of Ottawa Employees, Pathways Volunteer, Putnam Co. Educational Service Center, Putnam Co. EMA Director, Putnam Co. Commissioners and Recycling Coordinator, 2026 OGHS Football Volunteers, and ERG Environmental out of BG. We appreciate everyone coming out to take advantage of recycling these items that we don’t take at our normal drop offs. A huge thank you to everyone that volunteered their time that day, to the businesses that took in product, to the businesses that supplied workers and to the businesses around the county that made donations to help make this day possible.
Totals for the day include:
*105.6 lbs. of medication and 4,000 needles
*1,230 lbs. of steel
*5,000 lbs. of books, household items, computers, electronics and clothes for the Thrift Store
*7.00 lbs. of mercury
*435 lbs. of lithium batteries
*2,936 lbs. of household batteries
*1,598.40 lbs. of oil
*104 lbs. of antifreeze
*18,531 lbs. of latex & oil based paint
*787 lbs. of Light bulbs
*6,980 lbs. of televisions
*17,180 lbs. of electronics
*873 lbs. of aerosol cans
*5,575.90 lbs. of household cleaners, auto fluid & pesticides
As you can see, it was a great SUCCESS!!!! We collected a total of 61,342.90 pounds or 30.671 tons of recyclable materials in a three-hour time period. We appreciate everyone’s patience as the parking lot stayed crowded the entire time. Usually, we don't have any issues with time but obviously the tonnage we took in that day along with a LOT of electronics, computers and televisions so that slowed some things up. Next year we will have a pass around lane back by the Thrift Store for those that don't have anything to drop off there. Again, we appreciate your patience in order for us to take all of the items that we do and keep this as a free service.
Going to give a shout out by name for some of the volunteers we had!! 📣 Commissioners Brubaker, Wehri & Schlumbohm, Michelle Hanneman- thank you for doing the sign-ins, Pathways Amy Hedrick- thank you for keeping everyone in line, and 14 OGHS 2026 Football boys showed up to volunteer this year. They were a huge help to the Thrift Store and ERG Enviro in lifting all of those heavy materials! Riley Trombley, Ajay Brinkman, Ayden Klausing, Colton Gulker, Kavin Paniagua, Zach Horstman, Brayden Kuhlman, Owen Horstman, Ty Wrasman, Jackson Greve, Dillen Seeley, & Jett Felkey. Evan Rosengarten did a dual job by helping direct traffic and taking some materials from people. Last but not least, we had our Parking Lot Rockstar Evan Brady. He has done an amazing job the last two years with directing the cars to their spots in line where they go for their turn and not waste any space! We are going to miss him next year since he is a senior so hopefully one of the other boys are willing to step up next year. 😁 Thank you, Coach Ben Kaufman, for lining that up! Enjoy some of the pictures from that day; I am glad I get to be behind the camera!! A sincere thanks to each and every person there that day, Alaina Siefker
