Mower County is primed to begin accepting more recyclable plastics and to increase recycling pickup, but it’s not quite ready to enact the changes just yet.

The county board unanimously voted Tuesday to add plastics Nos. 3-7 to the Nos. 1 and 2 currently accepted at the Mower County Recycling Center and to increase pickup from every other week to the first four weeks of each month.

“I think this is a definite step in the right direction from what we’ve heard,” Commissioner Mike Ankeny said.

The moves come as part of a continued effort to improve the county-run, sorted recycling program. The board voted down a potential switch to single-sort recycling on Aug. 25, 2015. But the board vowed to make changes to bolster its current program.

“I think this is a very good start,” Ankeny said.

But the county doesn’t yet know when the latest recycling changes will take effect. Tuesday’s vote was likely just a first step, as the board next needs to agree to a new contract with Cedar Valley Services, which contracts for curbside recycling pickup and to help staff the Mower County Recycling Center.

While Cedar Valley’s current contract expires April 1, the board could vote next week on an extension to give further time to negotiate and plan for the changes. Since the more frequent pickups and additional plastics will likely boost the number of recyclables picked up, Ankeny said the extra time to reach a new contract will give Cedar Valley Services time to prepare.

“We’d just soon delay it until we’re ready to roll out with the new program,” Ankeny said.

Cedar Valley Services may need to add some equipment to meet the changes.

County Coordinator Craig Oscarson told the board the changes could cause increases in the next Cedar Valley contract while also affecting the revenue at the recycling center — largely due to the increased workload and because plastics Nos. 3-7 aren’t traditionally as profitable as plastics Nos. 1-2.

In October, the board unanimously voted to increase the average household recycling rate from about $16.10 a year to $25 a year — which is still below the proposed $55 cost for single-sort — to help fund improvements that will include additions to the Mower County Recycling Center.

The board is expected to spend $20,000 for additional outreach and education opportunities regarding recycling. It already plans to prepare a booklet to send out and board members discussed working with the schools. The county is also looking to better inform the public on when pickup days are, and the board is mulling over adding fridge magnets and other techniques.

County board members had discussed switching to larger recycling bins or adding lids to keep the bins and materials from blowing away. However, the board will keep the current bins for now. The county will have additional recycling bins available for people who can’t fit all their recyclables, but people will have to pick them up.

“We can always make changes as we go along,” Ankeny said. “And I think that’s what we want to try to do is try to get off on the right foot and then change as … we go down the road.”

The county also plans to seek bids to build an addition onto the west side of the Mower County Recycling Center, 1111 Eighth Ave. NE, for indoor unloading of recyclables and to add outdoor drop boxes where the general public can drop recyclables off.

“We’re trying to make it convenient all the way around,” Ankeny said.

Despite adding plastics Nos. 3-7, the county still will not accept plastic bags or Styrofoam.