RICHMOND, Ky. (October 1, 2026) — New equipment for the Richmond Recycling Center is set to arrive for installation the first two weeks in October. The timing comes as some equipment at the facility is nearing the end of its life cycle.
The Recycling Center at 550 Recycle Drive will be temporarily closed from Monday, October 5 until Monday, October 19 at 7:00 AM for installation of new machinery. This is the first time in thirty years of operation that the facility will experience a pause in services.
The temporary closure will cause residential pick-up services to be paused and the Drop-off Area at the Recycling Center to be closed. However, the cardboard and bulk routes for businesses will still be able to operate.
“We realize this will be an inconvenience for our residents, but the temporary closure is an opportunity to make the necessary improvements that the recent grant funding provides,” said Recycling Department Director Aaron Vaughn.
In the spring of 2026, in anticipation of replacing some aging equipment, the city proactively began researching grant opportunities to assist in funding the maintenance and upgrades to the Recycling Center.
In May, the city was awarded a grant of over $330,000 to fund anadditional baler, new conveyor belts, dumpsters, and a new forklift.
“Upgrades don’t happen overnight. While the down time might be frustrating, we expect the equipment upgrade will provide enhanced service to the city of Richmond and all the surrounding counties we serve at the Recycling Center,” said Vaughn.
Questions or concerns about the temporary closure may be directed to the Recycling Center office at 859-625-0202 during Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
