County officials still support a proposal to buy a mechanical sorter for the recycling center, despite a consultant's opinion the equipment probably won't make recycling profitable.

Atlanta-based Roy F. Weston Inc. presented its study of local recycling efforts to the Solid Waste Commission on Tuesday.

This study didn't tell me anything I didn't already know," said County Commissioner Chuck Hufstetler, a panel member.

The Floyd County Commission has been promoting a two-stream commingled material recovery facility as a way to boost profits at the Rome-Floyd County Recycling Center.

The system would move trash on conveyor belts and would allow recyclables to be sorted at the Recycling Center, in-stead of at the pickup point.

The MRF is estimated to cost about $700,000, including the cost of changes to the county's remote collection sites, said County Manager Kevin Poe.

Weston's study said recycling center changes will be needed if the intake of recyclables increases.

There are two feasible ways to increase recycling capacity, said Abby Goldsmith, Weston project manager:

l A two-stream commingled system, similar to the county's plan, where paper products and all other recyclable are handled in two processing streams.

l Curbside sorting along with the introduction of a pay-as-you-throw method at the county's remote dump sites