The City of Columbia Solid Waste Utility announced Thursday that it will resume curbside recycling collection on Monday, April 28.

While collection will restart on the city’s green recycling routes, officials say all materials picked up will temporarily be taken to the landfill. Despite this, the City is asking residents to keep separating recyclables from trash.

"Fortunately for a period of time, it'll go [recyclables] to the landfill, but we're hoping we can, whether it's back up some of our own operations in some temporary manner or work with another vendor to do some of the process some of the recycling and accept some of the recycling," Columbia interim director of utilities Erin Keys said.

Keys added that the city wants to maintain consistency for both workers and residents.

"I'm sorry that we had to cancel this week's, but I think by keeping things in a habit and constant, then that provides a lot more security not only for our employees, but for the public,” she said.

Recycling drop-off centers will remain closed until further notice. Recycling was suspended in Columbia after its recycling facility was damaged by a tornado on Sunday.

"The damage from the storm included more than 20 transmission poles. Destruction of the Material Recovery Facility and all the power and communication lines for the solid waste and biogas energy plant facilities," Keys said.

City officials are now evaluating cost-effective and efficient solutions for managing recyclable materials while the facility remains is out of service.

"There's operation in Jeff City and Kansas City and St.Louis. So it's look-- it's working with, and talking to those different, companies to see if it makes financial sense for us to, truck material there, and allow them to process it." Keys said.

As for long-term plans, the city is considering a redesign of its recycling program, including the potential for automated recycling services and eventually building a new facility.

Boone County's drop-off centers were also impacted.

"Boone County Government will await word from the City of Columbia as to when they will begin accepting recyclable material from outside entities. It has not been made clear at this point if the contracted agent for Boone County will be able to deliver recyclable materials to the facility. Our contracted agent as well as Boone County Resource Management are exploring options at this time," Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick wrote in an email.

The city is asking residential curbside customers to place recycling at the curb as usual starting April 28 on the green route. Residents should place glass containers in the trash, as glass can contaminate other recyclables.

A feasibility study conducted before the storm estimated that building a new, upgraded recycling facility could cost more than $22 million .

The city had originally planned to build a new recycling center by 2027 or 2028, but City Manager De'Carlon Seewood said this week that the storm may accelerate that timeline.

Key has not provided a timeline for rebuilding the facility, stating the current focus is on demolishing what remains.