Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 636
McKinney, TX  75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer
972-548-4772
lhornsby@co.collin.tx.us

September 8, 2004

Collin County convenience sites to merge

(McKinney, TX) – Beginning in October, Collin County will merge its three convenience sites into one location.

The new location is the 121 Regional Disposal Facility, 7934 North Highway 121, Melissa, 75454. The hours of operation will remain 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month.

“It has become so successful that we’ve had to centralize our energies,” says Public Works Director Jon Kleinheksel. Within the last 11 months, the county has accepted 2,036 tons of debris. The county has entered into an agreement with the North Central Texas Municipal Water District to utilize the landfill for this type of collection.

“Centralizing the location allows us to take more items,” says Collin County Commissioner Joe Jaynes. “We’ll also have a better way to process larger items by utilizing this site.”

“It is also a matter of financing, with the three sites; we were out $18,000 a month. By consolidating to one site, we will be averaging $4,000 a month. I know one site will be an inconvenience for some, but by consolidating, we stabilize the program, and we are not as dependent on grants and budget constraints,” says Jaynes.

There will be no charge for Collin County residents. But, contractors will pay the normal fee charged by the North Texas Municipal Water District of $29 per ton. Everyone will be required to show proof of residence and make certain that the items are secured underneath a tarp before entering the site. The county accepts general debris such as boards, limbs, mattresses and furniture. The county also accepts Freon-charged appliances if the Freon recovery certification is attached. Residents may also deposit six vehicle tires per household per year.

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