Plans were to close the Byrnes Mill Recycling Center as of August 13th due to increasing costs. The City determined that it would be in the best interest of residents to forgo the service unless an alternate plan came to fruition.  Byrnes Mill pays for the haul of the recycle containers as well as a full-time employee to manage the center. According to Public Works Director, Tony Whitby, it costs the citizens of the city $7000-$10,000 each year to leave the center open.

Aside from residents, people from surrounding cities and counties utilize the center. Unfortunately, if the city chose to serve residents only at the center they would lose funding from The St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District who contributed approximately 70% of operating costs in year's past.

The City has been in negotiations with St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District who has decided to increase the grant to 90% until the City is able to provide single service trash/recycling curbside or until a comparable facility opens nearby. The new grant total will be $31,100.