The city of Mt. Carmel is taking steps to solve the recent problems at the recycling center on Railroad Street.

On several occasions, residents dropping off cardboard and plastics have found overflowing bins with items strewn all over the area that have fallen out of the bins.

Now, the city has taken to locking the gate to the recycling center when the bins are full.

Styrofoam has been a big issue at the recycling center since the material isn’t accepted, Republic charges the city $1,000 each time a recycling bin is emptied that has non-recyclable items. Judge also said residents dropping off recyclables need to remove them from plastic bags.

City Clerk Ryan Turner stressed the recycling center is for city residents only as he has fielded complaints from people outside the city who shouldn’t be dropping off recyclables there in the first place. Turner said Republic has pledged to empty the full bins within 24 hours hopefully keeping the locked gates to a minimum. City officials have previously said if the recycling center is abused, it will be shut down permanently.