The Town of Columbus is seeking an organization to take its recycling bins that have not been in use for the past two years.

Columbus Town Council met Oct. 18 and was informed that Tryon was not interested in leasing the bins because they have no means of emptying the bins.

Columbus officials also said they had been in contact with the City of Saluda and the county agricultural center, who expressed the same problem as Tryon.

Columbus received the bins partly through a state grant and is looking for an organization, approved by the state, to take them.

The town saw little participation with curbside recycling several years ago and began its own recycling center in 2008, with the center located just past the school bus garage. Then the town contracted with All Bright Sanitation in July 2010 and rejuvenated its curbside recycling and closed the center.

Councilwoman Ernie Kan suggested if the town has exhausted everyone in Polk County the town should put the bins out for bid.

Town manager Jonathan Kanipe said he doesn’t think the state will sign off on a private sale due to the grant funding.

“I think (the state will) want a public recycling program,” Kanipe said.

Kanipe said he has not yet talked with the schools to see if they could use them.

Councilwoman Margaret Metcalf said the town could place the bins back in Columbus, closer to town hall so they could be watched more closely. Maybe open it on Saturdays, she said and have All Bright empty them on Mondays.

Kan said it cost a lot less to empty if paper is the only item collected. Kan suggested checking with the schools to give the bins to them.

Councilman Ricky McCallister said the problem is obviously the costs of getting the bins emptied.

“Whatever we do is better than what we’re doing right now,” McCallister said. “We may could help another county.”