Keep Liberty Beautiful: Recycle It! Fairs and Free Shred Day scheduled

Dr. Karen Bell

Keep Liberty Beautiful

Everyone can be an environment hero just by recycling! Recycling is one of the easiest ways to make a daily difference for a healthy environment! Recycling reduces the amount of waste ending up in the limited amount of landfill space we have. It also minimizes the number of toxins that can leak out in landfills and possibly end up in groundwater sources. Recycling also makes it possible to conserve natural resources much more effectively. The other essential thing to know about recycling is that once you begin recycling, it is a straightforward process that can easily fit into your daily routine. Recycling is simple if you start with a couple of items to collect. Then add additional 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, but you must use a different container for them. We have a county- operated drop-off system for recycling here in Liberty County. Using a recycling bag system for collecting and taking your recycling makes the collection process much more manageable.

KLB offers a bag system of three bags as a courtesy to interested recyclers. These bags can hang in a pantry or on cabinet knobs and are ready at a moment’s notice when you head out with your recycling. If you are interested in a set of bags, don’t hesitate to contact us at Keep Liberty Beautiful or attend one of the Recycle It! Fairs.

This Saturday is the next Recycle It! Fairs for collecting numerous household items that cannot be dropped off at local recycling drop-off centers. This quarter’s fairs are scheduled for Saturday, August 12, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at two convenient locations:

• Liberty County Community Complex, 9397 East Oglethorpe in Midway

• Walthourville City Hall, 222 Busbee Drive in Walthourville

Here are the items we recycle at the fairs:

• Electronics and electronic accessories

• Cell phones and accessories

• 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 medications and over-the- counter medications (no needles or syringes)

We will also have a Free Shred Day, on August 12 at the Walthourville City Hall. Make sure that the papers are not wet and are metal- free.

The current recycling rate in America is 32%, and I know we can increase that rate in Liberty County. We should all do our part by collecting items that can be recycled for this Saturday’s recycling fairs. Please bring a few things in and see how easy it is to become a recycler! If you have a lot of stuff stored away, you need to come and see us this weekend!

For more information on recycling, and shredding needs, contact Keep Liberty Beautiful at (912) 880-4888 or klcb@liberty countyga.com.