Decatur moves to automate sorting and replace baler after staffing disruption; council to consider budget amendment

Wanda Tyler, landfill and recycling manager, told the Decatur City Council that operational disruptions — including Department of Corrections workers being removed from assignment — have left the materials recovery facility understaffed and placed commodity flows at risk. Tyler proposed buying automated sorting units (described in the presentation as MaxAir robots) to reduce dependence on inmate labor and to maintain service levels for Decatur and surrounding municipalities that use the facility.

Tyler said the planned deployment would use three robots placed at strategic points on the sorting line so fewer people are required; she described a scenario moving from roughly a dozen sorters down to "maybe four people." The robots use optical technology to identify materials and divert desired commodities into the appropriate stream; humans would remain in-line for non-recyclable or hazardous items.

Tyler said the equipment purchase is for the robots themselves and that she is pursuing grants and partnership funding (including the Can Manufacturers Institute and The Recycling Partnership) to cover installation and maintenance, and noted the facility is regional and growing (Athens and other municipalities send material). She presented a conservative return-on-investment estimate in the presentation, citing an ROI figure she described as "well over $580,000" compared with current operations.

Council also discussed an immediate equipment need: staff requested approval to purchase a new baler for $115,337 because the current baler failed; lead time was estimated at two weeks with installation expected in about six weeks. Staff said the baler purchase would allow the recycling facility to resume producing sellable commodity blocks; funding was identified as coming from the Landfill Enterprise Fund.

Next steps: council will consider a budget amendment and purchase approvals at an upcoming meeting; staff will continue pursuing grant funds to reduce ongoing maintenance and capital costs.