BLUEFIELD (PRESS RELEASE) - The City of Bluefield Curbside recycling program passed the 700 ton mark in total recyclable material collected on Monday, October 8, 2012. The first ton collected during the program's inception (2007-2008) took 14 months to accumulate. This most recent hundred tons collected took only six months. This success can be attributed to the hundreds of residential, nearly 90 business, and three city school participants. One other factor in the growth and strength of the program is the number of different items collected has increased from three to eight, the last of which, mixed paper, has received tremendous response since it was added in October of 2011.
A new one truck load record of 3,880 pounds was also set on October 8, thanks in large part to the Bluefield State College Library recycling outdated magazines and periodicals. When the library finishes this project, they will have recycled close to 10,000 pounds of paper over a six week period, which in the past would have been dumped in a landfill. Saving space in landfills and conserving natural resources are two of the main goals achieved by the recycling program.
The city's program has averaged over 16 tons per month over the last year and continues to have steady growth. New recyclers are always welcome to join this free service provided by the City of Bluefield.
Items currently being collected for recycling include newspaper, cardboard, aluminum drink cans, # 1 & # 2 plastic containers, plastic store bags, clean tin cans with labels removed, and mixed paper.
The following items are not being recycled at this time: Styrofoam; glass; shrink wrap, bubble wrap, or product packaging such as bread bags, frozen food bags, etc.; Christmas and gift wrap, paper towels or similar materials, candy wrappers; and foil or pie crust pans.
Recycling coordinator Mel Saunders is available to present educational programs for civic clubs, schools, churches, neighborhood associations, scout troops or any group interested in learning more about recycling. Call 304 327 2456 to schedule a presentation or for other recycling questions or information.
