One of the easiest ways to make a difference for a healthy environment is to recycle. Recycling reduces waste that ends up in the limited amount of landfill space, minimizes toxins that can leach out of landfills and possibly into groundwater, and recycling makes it possible to conserve natural resources.
The other essential thing to know about recycling is that once you begin recycling, it is simple and easily fits in your routine. It is simple if you start with a couple of items. Then add items as recycling becomes a habit.
There is a misconception that recycling takes a lot of time. It does not. When recycling is set up wisely, it is as easy as tossing items in the trash can. You just have a different container for them.
We have a county-operated drop off system for recycling in Liberty County. I find that if you use recycling bag system for collecting and taking your recycling, it makes the process simple. We provide four bags to those interested in setting up a bag system as a courtesy. These bags can hang in a pantry or cabinet knobs and are ready when you head out with your recycling. If you are interested in a set of bags, contact us at Keep Liberty Beautiful.
We also offer quarterly Recycle It! Fairs for collection of numerous household items that cannot be dropped off at recycling centers. This quarter’s fairs are scheduled for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at three convenient locations:
Liberty County Health Department
1113 E. Oglethorpe Hwy.
Liberty County Community Complex
9397 E. Oglethorpe, Midway
Walthourville City Hall
222 Busbee Dr.
Here are the items we will accept:
• Electronics and electronic accessories
• Cell phones and accessories
• household paint (the cans must be sealed and clean, not rusted, and at least half full) This paint is donated for reuse and so it must be viable. If your old paint is inadequate containers, open the cans, add either sand or cat litter and let the paint dry completely. Then toss the cans in the regular garbage.
• LED, CFLs and fluorescent light bulbs
• used motor oil and antifreeze
• car batteries.
• household batteries
• printer ink and toner cartridges
• telephone books, large sale catalogs and books
• household goods and clothes and shoes (gently used ,please)
• old prescription and over the counter medications (no needles or syringes)
There will be no paper shredding at these fairs. The next Shred Day that we will sponsor will be in September, but if you have an immediate need for shredding, contact us at Keep Liberty Beautiful and we can assist you in finding an alternate option.
This month, we’ll also offer a tire amnesty day for Liberty residents on May 20. This six-hour event is for residents, not businesses or commercial tires. Commercial needs should turn in tires at the Liberty County Transfer Stations, where a state fee required.
Tires cause problems when they sit around because they hold water where mosquitoes can breed. I have no idea why anyone would want to help the mosquito population around here so please do not leave tires lying around or, worse yet, dump them.
Another problem with tires is the potential for fires. Tires are flammable, being made with some petroleum products. And tire fires produce acid smoke harmful to humans and the environment.
Also tires take up landfill space when trashed irresponsibly. It is silly to do that when tires are 100 percent recyclable. But to be recycled, they need to be turned in for collection appropriately.
Surely, we Americans can do better than the current 22 percent recycling rate in the United States. Do your part by collecting items now that can be recycled next Saturday. If you have never recycled, bring a few items in and see how easy it is.
For more information on recycling, shredding, or on the Tire Amnesty Day, contact Keep Liberty Beautiful at 880 4888 or klcb@coastalnow.net. We also have ideas on other ways to help our environment.