Recycling Awareness Week
Published 1:06 pm Friday, August 20, 2021
Plastic items that have been sorted are stored in large bins until there is enough to compress into large bales and hauled off by another recycling business. - Photo by Robin Hart
Boyle County Recycling Manager Geneva Hogue demonstrates how the department’s sorting system works. She said since the system was installed, much more of the county’s recyclables are baled and sold as opposed to ending up in the landfill. - Photo by Robin Hart
Stacks of cardboard that were sent to the recycling center will be bought, picked up and hauled off by another company. - Photo by Robin Hart
Boyle County Recycling Manager Geneva Hogue stands next to the county’s sorting systems. She said since the system was installed, much more of the county’s recyclables are baled and sold as opposed to ending up in the landfill. The public is invited to visit the recycling center and see first-hand how the recycling process works and how to be a “pro-recycler” during the center’s first Recycling Awareness Week Aug. 23-27. -Photo by Robin Hart
Boyle County’s mobile paper grinder will be in operation for the public to bring their papers and documents to be destroyed during Recycling Awareness Week, Aug. 23-27 at the recycling center. - Photo by Robin Hart
Learn how to be a “pro-recycler”
About 80% of Boyle County residents who think they are helping the planet when they recycle their trash are not really helping at all because they aren’t recycling properly.
So, the Boyle County Solid Waste Department is having a Recycling Awareness Week Monday, Aug. 23 through Friday, Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the recycling center on the Danville Bypass. No appointment is necessary.
During the free event there will be tours of the recycling center for the public to see how recyclables are processed and what has to be taken to the landfill.
And just to make it more fun while learning how to be a “pro-recycler” there will also be light refreshments and promotional items given away.
Director of Solid Waste Management Angie Muncy said, “I created this event based on the fact that 80% are not recycling properly. When you don’t recycle properly it causes contamination, and contamination means you should have just sent it to the landfill. Also, there is a lot of confusion of what is and what isn’t recyclable.”
Muncy said she hopes individuals, families and groups come out and learn how recycling actually works. “It’s very important for people to come out because they will leave with the knowledge of proper recycling, what really happens with the recyclables and what happens when you are not recycling properly.” She added, “I want everyone to come meet the workers who make it successful and the hard work that is put into it.”
“I encourage families to come together. Our kids are our future, they are actually more advanced than we realize and this would allow them to see what is recycled, how it’s processed and shipped,” Muncy said.
Visitors will be surprised at the changes and upgrades that have taken place at the recycling center over the past two years. “They will be astounded by the great changes made. They will also learn how to be more mindful of what to recycle.”
She added, “We have a new sorting line, new forklift and new skid steer. … We have changed the way paper is being recycling by buying new carts with lids. These were purchase and placed so that paper would stay dry. Wet paper is trash, period.”
“I’m excited to show off our mobile paper shredder/grinder, which is pretty cool. It allows for anyone Boyle County to have their important documents shredded for safety.”
Muncy said, “Although I’m proud of all the new features and equipment through grants, I am most proud of our sorting line. I hope people will visit and learn what is like to work a sorting line in a recycling center.”
Muncy hopes people come out and learn to be “pro-recyclers.” She said, “A pro-recycler is someone who takes the time to find out exactly what is recyclable, who doesn’t assume that because it’s plastic it’s recyclable. It’s someone who rinses their items (ketchup and dressing, etc bottles) and keeps paper dry.
Recycling Awareness Week will end Saturday, Aug. 28, with a big recycling event from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. when Boyle County residents can bring hazardous household items such as motor oil, antifreeze, batteries, paint, pesticides, sealants, fluorescent tubes, drain cleaners, etc, to be disposed of property.
They can also bring documents to be shredded in the center’s new paper shredding system.
And to celebrate the community event, WHIR-WRNZ will broadcast live and will be serving hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks.
