Area continues recycling upswing

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On Thursday, Rumpke released area 2015 recycling figures. In total, the area recycled nearly four million pounds of recyclable items.

“We started this program in 2006 and I thought it (recycling) would have leveled off. As you can see by these figures, we’re seeing gradual growth,” said Dan Palmer, Director of the Lawrence-Scioto County Solid Waste Management District.

When the solid waste management district started its recycling program it had 29 recycling sites, with 29 containers. Currently, there are 35 sites with 91 containers.

“The Scioto County Courthouse, Portsmouth City Hall, Ironton City Hall and Lawrence County Courthouse recently signed on, adding four additional sites,” Palmer said. “This goes to show, how we’re increasing. I’m very pleased with what we’re doing on a monthly basis.”

The Lawrence Scioto Solid Waste Management District in partnership with Rumpke conducts the local recycling program.

The containers are open for anyone to use, acceptable items include, plastic bottles, jugs, cartons, metal cans, paper and cardboard.

According to Rumpke, recyclable items should be unbagged when place in the containers.

Non acceptable items include, plastic bags, hangers, chains, hazardous materials, VHS tapes, pressurized tanks or trash.

According to Rumpke, unacceptable items can be a safety risk for employees, damage equipment and even increase the costs of the program. They can also ruin otherwise good recyclables that other residents place in the container.

“Residents obviously care a lot about recycling and they’re doing a lot of good,” said Nick Rupert, Rumpke municipal representative, in a released statement. “To do even better, it’s important to recycle only the acceptable items, meaning no plastic bags, no hazardous materials and definitely no trash.”

The Lawrence Scioto Solid Waste Management District also conducts various events throughout the year.

From March 28-April 1, there will be a cleanup in Shawnee State Park in West Portsmouth. For more information about this event call (740) 858-6652.

The Scioto County Drug Taken Back Day is scheduled for April 15. Palmer said this event will be held in the parking lot of the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office in Portsmouth.

At the 2015 event there were 73 vehicles which dropped off a collective 90 pounds of pills, 55 pounds of sharps and 25 pounds of liquid medications.

The Scioto County E-Waste and Shred Day is scheduled for May 13 in the parking lot of Valley Whole Sale Foods.

At the 2015 there were 40 vehicles that dropped off items for shredding which amounted to over 6,000 pounds of shredding. There were 35 vehicles that dropped of items for e-waste which amounted to 1,500 pounds.

Other district events scheduled for 2016 include Portsmouth Citywide Cleanup is scheduled for June 4.

On June 18 the annual Ohio River Sweep will take place.

On September 24 the district will hold its Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event at Dow Chemical.

It was decided by the district to hold this event (HHW) every other year due to cost. This event was not held in 2015 and will be held in 2016. After this year’s event, it will not be held until 2018.

The district will also hold a live Christmas tree recycling event in December.

Palmer said as each event draws closer more information will be released.

For more information and a complete listing of available recycling locations visit, www.lsswmd.org.

By Wayne Allen

[email protected]

Wayne Allen can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 1933 or on Twitter @WayneallenPDT

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