Staff Writer

March 7, 2000 11 PM

It’s been more than a week since the Troy Recycling Center went up in flames, and officials are still searching for the cause of the catastrophe.

On Feb. 25, the curbside Recycling Center was destroyed by fire and the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Troy Fire Chief Ray Rhodes said the cause of the fire has still not been determined.

In addition to losing the building, the city also lost equipment, such as balers and trucks. Troy City Clerk Alton Starling said early estimates of the losses are approximately $400,000.

Although there were quite a few losses, as the old saying goes, "the show must go on" and it is.

Bill Rice Sr., coordinator of the recycling program, said separating of the blue bags will begin Friday.

"As far as the customers are concerned everything is okay," Rice said.

Two balers have been loaned to the city and, as soon as the electricity is turned on, they will be in operation. As soon as that is done, baling cardboard can be done.

"We’ll be back in business," Rice said of having the balers up and going.

Rice is also renting fork lifts for the recycling program.

"We’ll just make do for six months," Rice said of the time it is expected to take to be fully operational again.

But, Rice credits the city assistance in being able to keep the recycling program going despite the setback.

"Everyone’s assistance has helped," Rice said. "They (city administrators) have really gone out of their way to help me."

As the insurance paperwork is being done, the recycling program continues.

Just days after the fire, Troy residents were encouraged to continue their efforts.

That’s the message still being sent out by Rice as he tries to rebuild what was destroyed by fire that February afternoon.

"Everybody needs to continue to recycle," Rice said.

Although the efforts to recycle will continue, it won’t be exactly the same.

Rice said there will be some inconveniences, such as having blue bags available.

The fire which was reported at 2:52 p.m. ­ minutes after employees left at 2:30 p.m. ­ burned the bags stored in the metal Troy Recycling Center building, along with other equipment. More bags have been ordered, but have not arrived.

Troy’s recycling program began in1991 and many residents participate in it.

"Just continue to keep the (recycling) habit going," Rice offered as advice to residents.

Rice said there will be no drop-off point for now, since the only storage for materials will be at the city barn.

"This is going to be tough for some people because we won’t be able to offer the service we have in the past," Rice said.