DALTON, Ga. -- Across the nation, recycling operations have suffered as prices on commodities slumped in the recession.

But local officials say recycling programs are still here to stay.

"In this industry, if you can say you broke even, you are very, very happy," said Harvey Levitt, operations manager for the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Management Authority. "If you didn't break even, then you certainly look at all the benefits."

Mr. Levitt said prices for recycled materials were high at the beginning of 2008, but the bottom fell out in the fourth quarter. Suddenly, items that were bringing in $50 to $100 per ton dropped to $5 or less per ton.

"We saw prices go from all-time highs to all-time lows," said Norman Barashick, executive director for the authority.

But recycling has its own benefits, he said -- reducing pollution, saving energy and landfill space, providing jobs and saving natural resources by providing raw materials to industries. And, he added, prices recently have begun to climb.

Officials say local recycling operations remain in good standing for a number of reasons. For one, Georgia has a good market for recyclables and the authority is able to sell about 90 percent of its commodities within the state, even through the recession, Mr. Levitt said.

Also, the solid waste authority has several other revenue streams. Mr. Barashick said the bulk of the authority's $5 million annual budget comes from landfill fees.

"We've always taken the approach that recycling didn't have to make money," he said.

Instead, officials do it because "it's the right thing to do," said Dalton Public Works Director Benny Dunn.

Dalton Mayor David Pennington said the city's free curbside recycling is "not done for financial reasons." Instead, he said, the city's goal is to be a green community and one that attracts young, educated residents.

In 2008, the city went from twice-weekly garbage pickup to only once a week and urged residents take advantage of curbside recycling.

Mr. Dunn said curbside recycling costs the city about $175,000 a year, but Dalton gets a share from the sale of recyclables. In good times, that can average about $2,500 a month, but is closer to $600 a month now, he said.

Meanwhile, the city saves about $150,000 annually by eliminating an extra day of trash pickup. Along with money saved by having less trash for the landfill, Mr. Dunn said, the city comes close to breaking even.

Mr. Levitt noted that, even in a down economy, the authority spent $400,000 to buy a recycling truck and more than 200 containers to allow all area schools to recycle paper products. More than 20,000 students in 30 schools now are recycling, he said.

Mr. Barashick said those students will become ambassadors for recycling and encourage it at home. Increased participation in the city and at county drop points can only improve revenues, he said.

"We're committed to recycling," said Mr. Barashick. "We anticipate that, over time, recycling is going to become a bigger economic driver for us."

BY THE NUMBERS

Dalton and Whitfield County collected and processed nearly 18 million pounds of recycling in 2008.

Using the "Environmental Benefits Calculator" developed by the National Recycling Coalition and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that figure equals:

* 8,368: Trees saved

* 3,821 tons: Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

* 2,517: Cars kept off the road for one year

* 2,410: Homes powered for one year

* 2,039 tons: Reduction in airborne and water pollutants

* 639,796 gallons: Water saved just from tonnage of carpet recycling

Source: Dalton-Whitfield Regional Solid Waste Management Authority

DALTON CURBSIDE RECYCLING

* 1.8 million: Pounds collected curbside in 2008

* 1,500: Cubic yards of landfill space saved

* $23,000: Amount saved in reduced landfill disposal fees

* $27,000: Amount earned in shared revenue

* 30-40: Percentage of residents participating in curbside recycling

Source: Dalton-Whitfield Regional Solid Waste Management Authority