Calling all pack rats and hoarders that are looking to reform their way of life! On Nov. 17, we will hold our quarterly Recycle It! Fairs.
All of those piles and items stuffed in closets, cabinets and storage rooms are begging for you to take them so that they can start new lives as recycled products. Give them that chance by cleaning out your storage areas in the next two weeks.
Why should you be recycling?
• Recycling conserves finite natural resources - this is critical as our population continues to grow exponentially. Many resources will not last forever so let’s start using them wisely.
• Recycling conserves fresh water up to 95 percent in the mining and manufacturing process for many materials.
• Recycling prevents waste from going into oceans - it is proven, when there is a strong recycling culture, there is less litter and less waste going into ocean.
• Recycling also significantly reduces the use of fossil fuel energy and reduces CO2 emissions.
According to a recent Yale University/EPA study, the U.S. recycles less than 22 percent of its discarded materials. Despite only representing 5 percent of the world population, the U.S. generates more waste than any other country in the world (World Watch Institute). Surely we Americans can do better than 22 percent. Now is the time to improve our recycling efforts because, in less than 15 years, worldwide waste is expected to double (World Watch Institute).
Recycling is simple if you start out with a couple of items to collect. Here are the items we will recycle this weekend:
• Electronics and electronic accessories
• household paint (the cans must be sealed well and clean - not rusted - and, at least, half full).
• CFL’s 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 medications and over the counter medications
You can certainly find one or two items in this list that you can bring in.
Our three Recycle It! Fair sites on Saturday, Nov. 17 are open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. These locations are:
Liberty County Health Department
1113 East Oglethorpe Hwy in Hinesville
Liberty County Community Complex
9397 East Oglethorpe in Midway
Walthourville City Hall
222 Busbee Drive in Walthourville
So, we invite you to join us that weekend if you have never recycled. Bring a few items in and see how easy it is to become a recycler! If you are a pack rat, though, you really need to come and see us that weekend! For more information on recycling, contact Keep Liberty Beautiful at (912) 880-4888 or klcb@libertycountyga.com .
Also in celebration of American Recycles Day join us:
• On Nov. 14, KLB board members and volunteers will be going out to three McDonald’s locations and Chick-fil-A Hinesville to ask / inform people to take a Recycling Pledge!
• On Nov. 15, which is America Recycles Day, a Proclamation will be signed in the Hinesville Room on the third floor of City Hall at 2:30 p.m.