From the minute the East Central Missouri Recycling Center opened, visitors began dropping off discarded items that in many instances would normally be taken to a landfill. Judging from the amount of items collected in the first few hours since it opened last Thursday, the center is going to be a big hit. The facility will provide a free recycling service for residents of Warren, Franklin, Lincoln and Montgomery counties. Boonslick Regional Planning Commission is operating the center, with funding from the East Central Missouri Solid Waste District and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Fittingly, the facility's opening day was tied with the national celebration of Earth Day. It is located at 24448 S. Highway 47, about three miles south of Warrenton. The drop-off area is open to the public on Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon. Steve Etcher, BRPC executive director, thanked each of the four counties for their support. "It's been made possible through a great collaborative effort," Etcher said. "Warren County, they really took the lead in making sure this worked. They worked with the property owner in acquiring the site. It really made this possible. "Working together for a common vision is what has made this a reality." Some of the items that will be accepted include paper, glass, plastics, aluminum, metals, electronics, batteries and used motor oil. Computer monitors and televisions also are accepted, but a $15 fee is applied. Warren County was selected as the location due to it being centrally located in the four-county region. The idea behind the recycling center is to promote an environmentally friendly message and to provide a service that has yet to be offered through the region. Etcher said there had been a growing number of requests from the public for a facility of this kind. Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage complimented Etcher for spearheading the recycling effort when he approached the county last fall. "We looked at it and said, 'Yes, this is something that we need,' " Engelage said. "Without Steve bringing it to us and finding a way to do this, we wouldn't have this." The county purchased the property for $275,000 from Larry Rogers, who used to operate Larry's Auto and Storage there. The county closed on the property April 11. The county had to purchase the land because the solid waste district is prohibited by law from purchasing property. Etcher said it's his hope that at some point the county can sell the land once a level of profitability is reached. The county and BRPC have reached a 10-year facility use agreement that will reimburse the county for the purchase. A $275,000 grant issued from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources covered operating and equipment expenses. The recycling center will employ only one person at this time, as Chris Walch has been named the facility manager. He is employed by BRPC. "I'm excited," Southern District Commissioner Hubie Kluesner said. "The idea is the trash won't be in the road ditch." The Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening. Also in attendance were local governmental officials and representatives for U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill. "We want to congratulate everyone involved in getting this project together," said Scott Costello, Warrenton Chamber president. "This is an asset to our community. We are very, very pleased to see the doors open."