HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Hopkinsville Committee of the Whole discussed the potential for reviving the city’s curbside recycling program through a third-party company, despite the lack of local participation.

Councilmembers previously voted to eliminate curbside recycling in August of 2025. At the time they reported that only 1,000 of HSWE’s 10,000 customers utilized the recycling service, causing the department to lose over $200,000 a year. Over the years this has accumulated to a $12 million loss.

Bryan Silver, general manager at HSWE, gave a presentation during the Feb. 19 committee of the whole meeting regarding the opening of bids for curbside recycling. He said they welcomed bids for outside services that would provide the recycling service at residential and commercial locations through HSWE.

“We went through the entire bid process with no interested parties coming forward,” said Silver. He added that the biggest concerns potential bidders shared was the lack of resident participation in recycling services, coupled with the fact that it was not a mandatory service. Previously, only 9% of eligible residents utilized the service.

Possible next steps for outside recycling service

Silver welcomed the idea of third-party services operating separate from HSWE, saying that outside companies would need to comply with getting a free permit and present a valid business license. This would allow a service to operate independently.

“I deeply regret that our recycling program had to be suspended,” said Silver during the meeting. “Our board has no issue with allowing outside recycling companies the opportunity to serve our citizens…we are committed to working with city council to make sure we see make happen.”

Silver also clarified to councilmembers that the old recycling bins are currently being utilized as trash bins. While no action was made during the meeting, councilmembers discussed the possibility of visiting the landfill in person to become more familiar with operations.

Daynnah Carmona contributed to this article.

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