Staff Reports
Rumpke recently handed out 200 free meals to neighbors and community members during its annual community picnic at the Medora Landfill.
For 20 years, neighbors of the landfill have gathered at the site for a buffet-style meal and to get updates about the site.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event, which was conducted Sept. 16, was a drive-thru picnic where guests enjoyed fried fish, sides and desserts from the comfort of their cars.
Meal bags also included Rumpke giveaway items and a flier with updates about the landfill, recycling center and new landfill-gas-to-energy project.
“We look forward to this event as it’s a chance to connect with new and familiar faces and give back to the community we’re proud to be a part of,” said Brad Marlow, manager of the Medora Landfill. “While the picnic looked a bit different this year, it was still wonderful to see everyone and continue a tradition we started long ago.”
Previous picnics featured an awards presentation to recognize the best side dish and dessert prepared by guests.
This year, Rumpke asked for recipe submissions and held a drawing to select winners. Rumpke’s Golden Fork Award for best side dish recipe goes to Nathan Neely for his green tomato casserole. The Golden Spoon Award for best dessert recipe goes to Helen Nolting for her peach cobbler.
Owned and operated by Rumpke since 1983, the Medora Landfill currently accepts about 38,000 tons of municipal solid waste and construction and debris monthly.
Rumpke’s Medora recycling center, located near the landfill, processes 700 tons of material each month. Recyclable material is collected from residential, commercial and industrial customers. Some recyclables are transported directly to Indiana manufacturers to create new products, while Rumpke transports the remaining items to its regional recycling facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, for processing.