Written by: Zachary Worstell (zdw001@marietta.edu)
Recycling is a fundamental part of a community that helps keep the local environment clean. The City of Marietta have had this program for nearly fifty years but are about to lose this part of their community as the Marietta Area Recycling Center located in Harmar must relocate after 31 years at their current location.
The Recycling Center do not own the property which it is located and the landlord, Ohio Valley Sprayform was sold in 2024. The new owners of the business wish to expand, and they determined that they needed to use the site which they have been renting out for the recycling center for the past few decades.
“I am also in discussions already for some sites,” lead volunteer for the recycling center, Kathy Ortt, said, “we are searching all avenues so that we can continue the Center.”
However, the MARC cannot go forward with a new location without more volunteers to step forward to commit to the buildout of a new site and to help to clear and relocate the required equipment.
The Marietta Recycling organization had a meeting on March 3rd at Washington State Community College to discuss ideas for the future of the MARC. At the meeting it was announced that the recycling center has to relocate by May 31st of this year. However, the official closing date has been set for April 30th.
“Unfortunately, the response to our volunteer campaign did not garner enough candidates within the timeframe needed to render an alternate site viable,” Ortt said.
The Marietta Area Recycling Center opened in 1976 and with the help of its volunteers has been a great success. The local Harmar, Marietta, Williamstown, and other surrounding areas communities have helped volunteer at the recycling center as well as provide donations and recycle their goods. Furthermore, the MARC has had a connection with Marietta College and its leadership program acted as a place for students to receive volunteering hours every year.
“When we initially opened, recycling at a community level was in its infancy. MARC has been the backbone of recycling over the years,” said Ortt.
The Marietta Area Recycling Center acted as background support for other future recycling programs as the City of Marietta began curbside pickup and a movement began to provide trailers to other rural communities. Just last year Muskingum Township began a recycling program for their area.
The Maritta Area Recycling Center will remain open for consumers and volunteers until April 30th and any future plans or updates will be announced by Kathy Ortt in the future. For more information or if you would like to know how to help, visit the recycling center at 915 Gilman Avenue, Marietta Ohio or visit them on Facebook at MARC Marietta Area Recycling Center.
