Recycling comes to McClellan

Calhoun County residents throw away 45 million pounds of trash each year, and nearly 600,000 pounds of litter! These are just a few of the many numbers shared by Jennifer Yates, the county’s Recycling Coordinator, with those in attendance recently at the Lunch & Learn series at Cane Creek Community Garden.

With limited landfill space, these numbers affect the pocketbook of every county resident. Reducing the amount of trash we generate is a matter of self-interest. And now it is easier for McClellan residents to do their part. A recycling bin has been placed outside the Cane Creek Community Garden.

Items collected at the bin include:

• Cardboard
• Mixed paper (newspaper, magazines, office paper, etc.)
• Aluminum cans
• Plastics – number 1 and 2 (check the bottom of the container for the recycling #)

Thanks to the county’s recycling efforts, nearly 345 tons of waste (on average 25 to 30 tons/month) was recycled in 2007, and it is hoped that 2008 will surpass that amount.

Beyond reducing landfill use, recycling can affect the price of other goods as well. It takes 95% less energy to recycle an aluminum can than to make a can from new material. Americans toss away enough aluminum in a 3-month period to rebuild the entire US aircraft fleet.

Today 90% of paper pulp is made from wood and paper production accounts for about 35% of felled trees. Recycling 1 ton of newsprint would save about 1 ton of wood, while recycling 1 ton of printer or copier paper saves about 2 tons of wood (it takes more wood to produce the higher quality fibers in this type of paper). Along with saving the trees, that same 1 ton of newsprint could save 4,000 KWH of electricity, enough to heat or air-condition the average American home for 6 months. In addition, the US EPA has found that recycling causes 35% less water pollution and 74% less air pollution.

So do your part, and pitch in.

For answers to your recycling questions contact the Calhoun County Recycling Office at (256) 237-8339 or recycle@hiwaay.net

Recycling bins are located near entrance to Cane Creek Community Garden across from Long Leaf Lodge.