Environmental Resource Guide for Athens-Clarke County
After more than seventy years on College Avenue, the Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department has moved to 725 Hancock Industrial Way. The new structure was built to meet LEED standards and is expected to be the first ACC LEED Gold certified building. Some of the innovative features include a geothermal heat pump, rainwater cistern for irrigation and toilets, extensive use of natural light, porous pavement and the use of recycled materials throughout the facility. Water conservation measures include a vehicle wash system that recirculates and treats wash water and bio-retention ponds to minimize the impact of storm water run-off. The Solid Waste Department strives to be a leader in green initiatives in our community. Our input in planning this new facility shows our continued efforts in leading green iniatitives and commitment to preserving the planet. - Jim Corley, Director Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department
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Inside This Guide INTRODUCTION 2 You Are Making a Difference
SERVICES AND INFORMATION 4 Single Stream 5 Recycling in the Home Office 6 Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful 7 KACCB in the Community 8 Kids Rule! - Recycling for the family 9 Electronic Recycling Sources 10 School Resources and Services 11 Recycle all your paper. All the time. 12 What’s in the Bin? 13 Where’s the Bin? 14 Food Scrap Recycling (Compost) 15 Household Hazardous Waste 16 Universal Waste 17 Rx Disposal Guide 18 Construction and Demolition, Metals. 19 Plastics Demystified 20 Who hauls and how much? 21 Reuse Guide
ADDITIONAL SERVICES 22 Athens-Clarke County Landfill Services 23 Leaf and Limb Information
SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT 24 Divisions and Phone Numbers
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Recycling from A – Z 18 Aluminum Cans 22 Appliances 11 Artwork and “Almost Masterpieces” 5 Audio and VHS tapes 16 Batteries 8 Books 22 Car Batteries 13 Cardboard 5 CD’s and DVD’s 5 Cellular Phones 6 Christmas Trees 21 Clothing and Textiles 9 Computers 17 Couches 8 Crayons 9 Electronics 21 Eyeglasses 16 Fluorescent Lamps and Ballasts 14 Food Donations 14 Food Scrap Recycling (Compost) 21 Furniture 8 Glue Bottles and Sticks 18 Grease and Cooking Oil 8 Hardcover Books 15 Household Hazardous Waste 5 Inkjet and Laser Cartridges 11 Junk Mail 11 Magazines 17 Medications 18 Metal – Scrap 16 Microwaves 22 Motor Oil 15 Needles and Sharps 18 Pallets 12 Paper and Cardboard 5 Paper shreds 12 Pizza Boxes 19 Plastic 22 Propane Tanks 21 Shoes 5 Styrofoam (EPS) 5 Telephone Books 22 Tires 23 Wood and Yard Trimmings 8 Wrappers (candy and snack)
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You are making a
DIFFERENCE Everyone agrees that it is good to recycle. But did you know that practicing the five R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink, and rot (compost) – is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Thanks to your dedication and commitment, every year the amount we recycle continues to increase. With your help, we are diverting more waste from our landfills: from a mere 4,289.54 tons diverted in 1996 to 11,564.23 tons in 2000 to a whopping 14,433.34 tons in 2009.*
• Reduce & Reuse – By not producing new products, we reduce waste, energy use, transportation needs, and deforestation. This translates into a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. • Recycling & Rethinking– By recycling, we conserve natural resources. This simple action decreases greenhouse gas emissions from mining, transportation, processing, and manufacturing. By rethinking about our purchases, we can live on what we need instead of what we want.
That translates into a 236% increase from 1996 to 2009 that didn’t go into the landfill, which means water and energy saved, reduced • Composting – Organic waste is the most greenhouse gases, and an improved environprevalent item in our waste stream and generates ment in Athens. Our county diverted 40% of more methane in the landfill than any other all waste away from the landfill in 2009 when material. Methane is a very potent greenhouse all recycling activities were totaled. gas – more than twenty times more potent than carbon dioxide!
*These tonnages are for the ACC Recycling Facility only.
This book is printed on recycled content with vegetable based inks.
You are Making a Difference
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There are lots of things we can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Practicing the five R’s is the easiest and least expensive because recycling and reduction programs are in place at home, work, and school. This guide offers resources and information on waste reduction and prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting. Whether it’s at home, work, or school, Athens-Clarke County residents are recycling paper, bottles, and cans, composting their yard waste and food scraps, and reusing materials instead of throwing them away. You are already doing it, but you can still do more! Here are few simple things you can do to put reducing, reusing, recycling, rethinking, and composting into action: Reduce your waste and your “ecological footprint.” The United States goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. Bring your own bag every time you shop! Reuse products instead of throwing them away. Donate items to thrift or charity stores. Find “new” items on Craigslist.org and Freecycle.org or at neighborhood garage sales. Recycle in every room in the house! Don’t forget to recycle your newspaper, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, and even your cereal and tissue boxes!
YOUR RECYCLING EFFORTS ARE PAYING OFF Recycling your paper, bottles, cans, yard waste, and food scraps makes a huge difference to our local economy and conserves natural resources.
In 2009, here’s what AthensClarke County recycling efforts have done: * TREES SAVED 324 acres of standing trees
About 1/3 of all garbage produced by households This factor is based on CO2 is an organic material (like food scraps and yard sequestration per tree. materials). That’s around 25-30% each week! ACC residents can recycle food scraps in their ENERGY SAVED own backyard using a compost bin.
358,816 BTUs
With continued efforts, we can all make a difference and reduce the waste that goes into our landfills, conserve natural resources, reduce air and water pollution, protect our habitats, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The GRC and their web site Ecoville Georgia is the source for statewide recycling and sustainability information. www.georgiarecycles.org
(404) 634-3095
This is the equivalent to the amount of energy used by 4,231 homes in one year.
GREENHOUSE GASES REDUCED 46,502 MTCE This is the equivalent saving 5,278,346 gallons of gasoline and 108,145 barrels of oil. *Derived from Georgia Re-Trac reporting system (based on the EPA WARM Model).
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Single vs. Dual Stream Recycling The average person in the United States throws away about 4.5 pounds of trash every single day. According to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs about 40% of our trash in Georgia could and should be recycled (2008). Recycling is important for the following reasons: • Conserves natural resources and natural spaces; • Conserves energy and water; • Employs people; • Supports the economy; • Provides a viable alternative to landfills. Recycling has evolved over the years and can be done a number of ways. Recyclables can be collected as source separated material (customer must sort all materials by type at a drop-off location or a hauler/collector does this at the curb), dual stream (customer must sort materials into a paper stream and bottle and can stream and place in two separate containers ), or single –stream (customer puts all paper and bottles and cans in one container). Through advances in new sorting technologies – single-stream recycling has surged in popularity in Georgia. Single-stream recycling is easier for the customer and more efficient and economical for the hauler. Simply put – “Single-Stream recycling collection means that ALL recyclables can be collected mixed together in one container and collected with one truck (this does not mean trash is mixed with recyclables.)”
Here in Athens-Clarke County We currently use the dual stream method at the Solid Waste Department and Athens-Clarke County Recycling Facility but many of our private haulers have converted to single-stream collection that gets transferred to Gwinnett County for processing. Athens-Clarke County is exploring single-stream recycling and will hopefully be converting it’s system in 2012.
Collectors using single stream are: AAA Sanitation (certain days) (706) 543-7788 Curbside Services (706) 769-1822 Robertson (Republic) (706) 353-7300 Waste Pro (706) 227-3222
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Recycling in the Home Office Ink jet cartridges, cell phones, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, styrofoam and packing peanuts, paper shreds, and telephone books. All of these components make up the contents of a typical home office. When their use has expired, often the question of what to do with these items is presented. All of the above items can be reused or recycled.
Telephone books can be recycled too!
Want a recycled content pencil for your home office! Call us! Paper shred recycling: Shreds in clear or paper bags and can be recycled curbside with paper. Other sources that shred documents: The Lindsay Group (800) 476-8902, 180 Trade St. Larger quantities and commercial services. FedEx Office (706) 353-8755, 2235 W. Broad St. Self-serve machine, under 1 lb. is free or $2.00 per bag for larger quantities. Office Max (706) 353-8755, 191 Alps Rd. Prices are per pound. 1-4 lbs. is $.59, 5-11 lbs. is $.49, over 11 lbs. is $.39. Office Depot (706) 208-3666, 3045 Atlanta Hwy. $.99 per lb., 10 lbs. per week limit. ShredEX (706) 424-4335. Commercial services. CD, DVD, and VHS tape recycling: GreenDisk (800) 305-DISK Mail in program to Greendisk.com Cell Phones: Drop off old or broken cell phones at: ACC Solid Waste Office, Best Buy, EarthFare, Radio Shack, Target Styrofoam: Often included with any shipped item. Publix - meat tray and egg cartons (may accept block styrofoam if asked) UPS Stores - reuse packing peanuts (call first to see if they have a need)
Just drop telephone books in the paper recycling bins at your office, home, or at one of our drop-off sites. Additionally, the plastic wrap around the new telephone books can be recycled with other plastic wraps and bags. Plastic wrap can be recycled at local grocery stores and the ACC Recycling Facility.
Ink jet Recycling Over 13 printer cartridges are disposed of in American trash cans every second, an estimated 375 million each year. Cartridges can be refilled five to seven times before they need to be recycled; many companies now re-use almost 100% of their old cartridges to produce new ones, adding only new ink. This takes about 80% less energy, saves metal and plastics from ending up in our landfills, and uses half the amount of oil needed to produce it new. Cartridges can be recycled at: ACC Solid Waste Office, 725 Hancock Industrial Way also at: Best Buy, 3898 Atlanta Hwy Office Depot, 3045 Atlanta Hwy Office Max, 191 Alps Rd Radio Shack, 196 Alps Road, 4375 Lexington Road or 3700 Atlanta Hwy at Georgia Square Mall Target, 3065 Atlanta Hwy
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Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful (KACCB) mission is to educate and empower citizens and businesses with the resources to take action as environmental stewards of litter prevention, waste reduction, and beautification.
Adopt Athens This community appearance program promotes public involvement with caring for, maintenance & improvement of public areas around Athens-Clarke County.
Adopt-A-Highway Adopt-A-Stop Adopt-A-Stream Adopt-A-Park Adopt-A-Neighborhood Greenspace Adopt-A-Trail/Greenway
Is your community group looking for equipment and tools to clean your adopted area? Borrow some from this community resource. Visit us online under programs for an inventory list or call the office to reserve tools for pickup.
Junk Yard Jog The unique and beautiful course travels across a pasture, through the woods, and along a stream following the perimeter of the ACC landfill.
Bring one for the Chipper - Christmas tree-cycling program creates much needed mulch used for playgrounds, beautification projects, fish habitats, and shoreline erosion stabilization projects.
www.KeepAthensBeautiful.org
706.613.3501 ext. 312
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KACCB
in the Community KACCB’s involvement with issues like water quality, recycling, litter, graffiti prevention, and waste management make our community a healthier, and more beautiful place to live, work and play.
Litter Hotline - (706) 613-3506 Meet the Litter Hotline mascot - Buck! Report littering incidents that occur from moving vehicles. Littering is against the law and is punishable up to $1,000 fine. Please record the type of litter, the vehicle tag number, the date, time and location of the incident. Calls are anonymous.
Seriously...y’all still litter? Time to change your ways. 13 Cardboard
Sip. Nibble. Stroll.
Sip, nibble and stroll through the State Botanical Garden of Georgia during this annual fall fund-raiser. KACCB hosts this one of a kind silent auction and tasting event featuring wine samplings and food tasting stations from Athens area restaurants and caterers.
keepathensbeautiful.org
Athens annual volunteer river cleanup of the North Oconee River encourages the preservation of Georgia’s water resources.
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Kids Rule! Terracycle makes affordable, eco-friendly products from a wide range of different non-recyclable materials and is one of the fastest growing eco-friendly manufactures in the world!
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Elmer's Glue Crew Recycling Program™ is a fun, hands-on way to teach about recycling. 1. Collect ‘em & Clean ’em - Collect all your Elmers bottles and sticks marked with a #1 or #2 recycling symbol. Clean the bottles and sticks with warm, soapy water. 2. Drop ‘em in & Drop ’em off - Create a box for collecting or recycle one from a grocery store. Once full, close the box and print a mailing label at www.elmersgluecrew.com. 3. Win Prizes! - Register your totals online on the Elmers Glue Crew web site and submit your projects, lesson plans and photos for your chance to win!
Book Recycling 1 2 3
Start collecting wrappers and join a brigade at www.terracycle.net. Each wrapper or container mailed in will donate money to the school or charity of your choice. Download a pre-paid shipping label to ship collected items at www.terracycle.net. Purchase Terracycle products made from recycled goods at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Home Depot, PetCo, and OfficeMax.
crazycrayons.com These 100% RECYCLED CRAYONS are Hand Crafted, Multi-Color and Solid Color Crayons made from unwanted crayons collected by the National CRAYON RECYCLE PROGRAM from schools, restaurants and many caring organizations across the USA). There are several options in Athens for book recycling and reuse. Reuse is always the best option and should be considered first as it conserves resources.
Athens Regional Library System accepts gifts of money, books, films, pamphlets, etc. Visit www.clarke.public.lib.ga.us or call (706) 613-3650 for information. If books can't be reused, recycle them. Paperback books can be placed in paper recycle bins. Hardcover books can be reused and recycled through Better World Books containers located on the UGA campus and at recycling drop off sites at Athens Tech, ACC Recycling Facility, at Georgia Square Mall, George Gibson’s Menswear, and at the College Avenue/ Cleveland Road recycling drop off sites.
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Electronic Recycling What to do with outdated electronics Many big box companies and manufacturers are now accepting electronics for recycling for free or are offering a consumer buyback program. Hewlett-Packard (HP) introduced Consumer Buyback and Planet Partners Recycling Program. The service is free and accepts PCs, monitors, printers, digital cameras, personal digital assistants and smart phones. Visit HP.com and click on Product Recycling link under Resources. Best Buy customers can drop off up to two devices per day at any store. Items accepted are televisions and monitors up to 32 inches, computers, notebooks, videocassette recorders, MP3 players, DVD players and phones. A $10 recycling fee will apply to any unit with screens. Customers will receive a $10 Best Buy gift card in exchange for the recycling fee. Appliances are not covered under the program. Visit BestBuy.com or 3898 Atlanta Hwy in Bogart, (706) 354-8311. Target customers can now easily recycle plastic bags, MP3 players, cell phones, ink cartridges, and beverage containers at recycling stations located at store checkout. Visit Target.com or 3065 Atlanta Hwy, (706) 208-9379.
FREE IT athens is a volunteer based group that accepts donations of working computers and accessories, repairs them, installs an operating system, and sells or [in most cases] gives them to individuals and community organizations that do not have access to information technology resources. Computers and equipment must be in working condition. Systems that cannot be repaired are recycled responsibly. Donations are accepted at 594 Oconee Street on Sun. 1-5 pm and Wed. 6-8 pm. freeitathens.org, freeitathens@gmail.com.
Sony offers a buy back options for products. Receive credit toward a new Sony camera or camcorder when trading in a current one online at Sony.tradeups.com. Sony has teamed up with Waste Management to support recycling their products. Check online for drop off locations in Georgia at Sonystyle.com.
For information on recycling broken electronics, see page 22 in this guide.
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School
Green School Program
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Often what children learn at school is brought home. With teacher aides and information found in this directory and online, we can help ACC school children and residents become earth friendly and more aware of hazards to our environment.
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Resources and Services
Our goal is to foster relationships with Athens-Clarke County schools and provide them with the tools and knowledge base RECYCLE CONSERVE BEAUTIFY to teach our children about environmental education, land The Green School Program is a usage, pollution control, and how to care for our planet.
The ACC Recycling Division provides group facility tours to coincide with classes, labs, or lesson plans. Students will walk through the facility and observe what is recycled and how the materials are sorted, baled, and prepared for sale. ACC Recycling Division offers an annual waste reduction challenge to local schools. Photo: Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School, Bags for Bears winner.
project of several ACC offices including the Recycling Division, Public Utilities (Water Conservation), Public Works (Stormwater) and Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful. The program was designed to assist schools in environmental education and improvement focusing on: - conservation - preservation - environmental beautification Annually, the program recognizes participating schools that implement exceptional environmental education and improvement programs. In 2005, Barrow Elementary and Whitehead Road Elementary became the first ACC Green Schools. Currently, there are over ten local green schools in Athens-Clarke County. Program details and a complete list of current Green Schools can be found at accgreenschools.org
Interested in learning about theGreen School program or having Binny at your next festival? Call ACC Recycling to reserve your date at (706) 613-3512 or at recycle@co.clarke.ga.us
Teacher Reuse Store This “store� provides a variety of items to local educators for FREE! The items have been donated by local businesses, industries, and individuals. Donations for Teacher Reuse Store are accepted year round by the ACC Recycling Division.
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Recycle All Your Paper. All the time.
You recycle all that you can – bottles, cans, and newspaper too. Paper products make up 40% of materials that households throw away. Don’t forget that all of your paper - catalogs, magazines, junk mail, phone books, cereal and pizza boxes, even your children’s “almost masterpieces” - are valuable resources that can be recycled. Recycling is one small step we can all take for the future of our planet. Direct Mail: The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) is the largest provider of mailing lists. www.dmachoice.org Credit Card Offers: Remove your name from the lists: Equifax/Trans Union/Experian/Novus 1-888-567-8688 www.OptOutPrescreen.com
Masterpiece by: Kinsey Reeves, Winterville Elem.
PUT THE MASTERPIECE ON THE FRIDGE. RECYCLE THE REST.
Stop Junk Mail
Sweepstakes: Publishers Clearinghouse 1-800-645-9242 Catalogs: Remove your name from specific lists at www.CatalogChoice.org Shopping Flyers: ValPak Coupons 1-800-499-0473 Advo/Valassis 1-888-241-6760 www.valassis.com/1024/Contact/ MailingListRemoval.aspx Penny Saver 1-800-422-4116 www.pennysaverusa.com/contactus Junk Faxes: Contact the sender of the fax and ask to be removed or file a complaint with the Consumer Information Bureau: 1-888-225-5322 www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/ unwatedfaxes.html
It’s good to recycle your junk mail. It’s better to stop getting it. Junk mail is a waste of time and resources. The average household receives junk mail equivalent to 1.5 trees every year. That adds up to more than 100 million trees each year. Here are a few smart steps to minimize unwanted mail and continue to receive the mail you really want!
Reducing your junk mail is as easy as 1-2-3 Call, write or go online to the companies listed to the left and request your name be taken off their list.
1 their list, or remove your name from specific catalogs for free
Contact catalogs and tell them you want your name taken off by visiting www.CatalogChoice.org.
When you buy from catalogs over the phone or online, make
2 sure to let the company know that you do not want them to
sell, share, or trade your name or send promotional materials.
www.StopJunkMail.org for more information on reducing 3 Visit your junk mail, including pre written template letters and links to other companies.
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What’s in the Bin? The following products are accepted at drop off locations and in curbside bins. Plastic Containers Bottles, jugs, beverage and food containers marked with ONLY (shampoo, laundry detergent, etc. ) Metal Food & beverage containers, lids, caps, aluminum trays and foils and empty aerosol cans
Glass Bottles, jugs and jars only (pickle, jams, beverage, etc.) Paper and Cardboard Newspaper, magazines, catalogs, phone books, junk mail, envelopes, cards, office paper, paper bags, soft cover books and paper shreds (placed in boxes or clear bags). Corrugated boxes and boxboard (cereal, shoe, pizza, snack, milk & juice cartons, etc.)
The following products are NOT accepted at drop off locations or in curbside bins. Electronics or Cell Phones Grass, Leaves or Yard Waste Oil or Antifreeze Containers Plastic Plates, Cutlery or Straws Windows or Plate Glass Dishes or Porcelain Household Hazardous Waste Medical Waste and Needles
Plastic or Foil Laminated Paper Bubble Wrap or Plastic Packaging Paper Plates or Cups Napkins or Paper Towels Plastic Cups Diapers Clothing Light bulbs
Batteries Styrofoam Liquids Plastic Bags Food Scraps Paint Cans Facial Tissue Trash
Start a Bag Habit Start a habit you’ll be proud to flaunt: bring reusable bags every time you go to the store. It’s the simple way to go green in your daily life. Why bringing your own bag makes a difference: • Each year the U.S. uses 30 billion plastic and 10 billion paper grocery bags, requiring 14 million barrels of oil. • The pulp and paper industry is the second largest industrial user of energy in the US.
• Only 1 percent of plastic bags are recycled annually. • More than 46,000 pieces of plastic contaminate each square mile of our oceans. Tips to remember your bags • Keep bags in your car, office, or backpack. • Hang bags on front doorknob. • Make it item #1 on the shopping list. For more information, ideas and links visit www.reusablebags.com.
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Where’s the Bin? North 1650 Danielsville Road ACC Fire Station #9
West 3710 Atlanta Hwy Georgia Square Mall Cinema 5 lot
Northwest 3955 Jefferson Road ACC Fire Station #8
Southeast Jail Road at 3025 Lexington Road Behind Tag Office lot
East City of Winterville Public Works Corner of Church and Parkview
Five Points 1059 Baxter Street George Gibson's Menswear lot
Central 1005 College Avenue Corner of College and Cleveland
Northeast 800 Hwy 29 N Athens Tech Job Quest lot
ACC Material Recycling Facility 699 Hancock Industrial Way
ACC Landfill 5700 Lexington Road
Note: These images represent bins at community drop off locations. Most locations, unless otherwise noted, are open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Each bin is clearly labeled with informational stickers to aid in the proper handling of recyclables. Trash or garbage is not accepted at these sites.
Dawg Gone it Recycle
There are several locations on the UGA campus to recycle. Separate cans and bottles from paper items into the appropriate bin. For more information about recycling on campus or to get involved, contact www.gogreen.uga.edu. Bolton Hall - Baxter Street Jo Frank Harris Commons - River Road Oglethorpe Dining Hall - University Court Snelling Hall - Sanford Drive Tate Center - Lumpkin Street Stegman Coliseum - across on Carlton Street Greek Park - River Road Lamar Dodd School of Art - River Road Family Housing - Roger’s Road and at College Station/Agriculture Drive Riverbend North - Riverbend Parkway Miller Learning Center - East Baxter Street
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Food Scrap Recycling Food scrap recycling is easy and a simple way to conserve valuable resources. Food scraps and food-soiled paper make up more than one-third of the garbage households produce. Instead of sending your food scraps to the landfill where they create methane, a potent greenhouse gas, turn your food scraps into compost! Compost is a valuable resource used by farmers, landscapers, and home gardeners to enrich the soil, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, and grow more food. Food scrap ALL FOOD PRODUCTS, fruit (seeds recycling creates a healthier environment for the future. and cores too), vegetables, cereal,
pasta, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, food soiled paper (towels plates,napkins) and pizza boxes. No plastics, glass, metal or liquids! Be sure to include: • plate scrapings and leftovers • pizza boxes and crust • paper towels and napkins • paper cups and plates FOOD REUSE if possible, donate unopened and unspoiled foods. Food Bank of Northeast Georgia 861 Newton Bridge Road 706.354.8191 www.foodbanknega.org Athens Area Homeless Shelter 706.354.0423 620 Barber Street athensareahomelessshelter.org
1) Layer and mix brown and green materials, keep the pile moist and aerated. 2) Turn or stir the pile one to three times each week.
Humus: pronounced (hy u mes) is defined as a brown or black substance resulting from the partial decay of plant matter; organic part of the soil. :
101 3) Use your compost in 1-3 months, when it has turned into a rich, dark humus.
RECIPE FOR FAST COMPOST
Ingredients: 2/3 brown materials 1/3 green materials (fruit & veggies) Water (moist as a wrung-out sponge) Air (plenty of it for break down process)
paper bag newspaper
Keep things tidy by collecting food scraps in a paper container such as a paper bag or newspaper and place all items right into the composter. Purchase your Earth Machine composter from KACCB for $45.00, 706-613-3501 x312.
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Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) What is household hazardous waste? Hazardous household items include pesticides, drain cleaners,used motor oil, transmission fluid, paint, stains, fertilizers, alkaline and rechargeable batteries, and fluorescent bulbs and tubes. Typically, about 1% of all waste generated in the average American household is hazardous. The average household generates about 30 pounds (about the weight of a mediumsized dog) of HHW per year, for an annual national total of about 1.6 million tons (EPA). Many common household products are considered hazardous waste because they contain chemicals that are poisonous, toxic, corrosive or flammable. Hazardous household items include pesticides, drain cleaners, used motor oil, transmission fluid, paint, stains and fertilizers. These products can contaminate the soil, groundwater and/or air when poured on the ground, down the drain or dumped in the trash. Residential quantities of these materials are not banned from our local landfill so the key is to prevent HHW generation in the first place. Ask the following questions before you purchase HHW: • •
Recipes for a Clean & healthy Household
How to make non-toxic household cleaners that are better for your family AND the environment.
Would you like a recipe book for healthy home cleaners? Contact the ACC Recycling Division or look online at Earth911.com/household
Do I really need to use this product? Is there a safer alternative to this product?
If you must use a product that is considered hazardous, buy only what you need and follow the application instructions. If you have HHW left-over, try and find a neighbor and/or friend that might need the remainder of the product. Household hazardous waste (HHW) events have been held in Athens since 2002 (when funds are available) diverting over 177,526.25 pounds (88.7 tons) of HHW. Contact the ACC Recycling Division with questions or concerns about the proper handling and/or disposal of HHW.
Needles/Sharps Alert: State law allows the disposal of home generated medical needles/sharps in the trash. Place sharps into a closed container (such as a plastic detergent bottle), then place in the trash - not the recycling bin.
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Universal Waste Batteries and Bulbs
Household batteries such as flashlight, button, and alkaline batteries, called universal waste, are a threat to the environment if thrown in the landfill. Universal Waste contains harmful, corrosive chemicals and metals like mercury and lead. In general, it is against the law to dispose of universal waste in the trash. This includes batteries, microwaves, thermostats, thermometers, and any other mercury-containing devices.
You can also learn more about universal waste and other household hazardous waste by visiting acc-recycle.org/special-recyclables.htm +
All Athens area Home Depot and Lowe’s accept compact fluorescent bulbs for recycling.
Universal waste recycling options in Athens
• ACC Solid Waste Office (batteries, fluorescent tubes, CFLs, thermostats, thermometers, cell phones, ink jet cartridges and mercury) • ACC Landfill (batteries and microwaves) • Batteries Plus, Best Buy, and Radio Shack (rechargeable batteries only)
Rechargeable batteries are a popular and eco-friendly choice, but they also need to be disposed of in the proper way once they no longer hold a charge. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp. lists drop-off locations for rechargeable batteries. You can visit their web site at www.rbrc.com or call 1-800-8Battery.
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Homeowner’s Guide to the Disposal of Unwanted Medications
Cleaning out the medicine cabinet is a good idea. Having old and expired medications increases the chance of taking the wrong one or an incorrect dosage. Plus, old medications lose their potency after time.
Q: Do I flush old medications down the toilet? NO! Flushing medications can cause contamination to Georgia’s aquatic environment because wastewater treatment systems are not designed to remove medications. Additionally, medications can kill helpful bacteria in septic systems. Q: Do I place old medications in the trash? YES! But follow these guidelines to protect children, wildlife, the environment and personal information.
1. Keep in the original container to help identify the contents if they are accidentally ingested. 2. Mark out your name and prescription number. 3. For pills: add a small amount of water or soda to aid in dissolving them. 4. For liquids: add a small amount of inedible items like pet litter, dirt or saw dust. 5. Secure the lid with duct or packing tape. 6. Place the bottle(s) inside an opaque container like a detergent bottle or with unappealing trash like soiled diapers or used pet litter. 7. Hide the container in the trash. 8. DO NOT place in the recycling bin. 9. DO NOT share medicine with anyone. DO NOT flush medicine down the toilet. DO NOT put medicine in the trash without disguising them human or animal scavengers may find them and ingest them.
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Cans for Cash? Aluminum can recycling provides many environmental and economic benefits to individuals, communities, organizations, companies and industries. With a high market value, aluminum continues to provide an economic incentive to recycle. When cans are recycled curbside, they help pay for a variety of additional waste reduction services provided by the ACC Recycling Division. Individuals or groups can recycle - and get paid for their efforts - by any of the metal brokers listed.
Athens Auto Wrecking Recycling (Alewine’s) Highway 29 in Hull 706-548-2211 Athens Recycling Corporation 9740 Commerce Road 706-548-9025 OmniSource Corporation 590 Old Hull Road (corner of Old Hull and Athena) 706-613-5201
C&D Reuse and Recycling Resources: Related Recycling 22 Chestnut Oak Run 706-340-1619 www.relatedrecycling.com Habitat For Humanity ReStore 532 Barber Street (706) 354-0936 www.athenshabitat.com
Construction and Demolition
Construction and Demolition (C&D) Material makes up 22% -25% of the waste stream in Georgia (Source: GA Department of Community Affairs, 2008). C & D material includes the following: concrete, wood (from buildings), asphalt (from roads and roofing shingles), gypsum (the main component in drywall), metals, bricks, plate glass, plastics and salvaged building components (doors, windows and plumbing fixtures). These items have a reuse and/or recycling value. Finding an outlet for recycling these items can be tricky but we have listed a few below. Don’t forget to list items on Craig’s List or other sale sites.
Build.Recycle.Net Used Building Materials Exchange build.recycle.net/exchange/index.html Southern Waste eXchange, Inc. PO Box 960, Tallahassee, FL 32302 800-441-7949, 850-386-4321 (fax) www.wastexchange.org
Used Wood Materials Exchange www.woodexchange.com
Cooking Grease: Residential quantities of cooking grease are now accepted for recycling at the ACC Solid Recycling Facility at NO CHARGE! Why is it recycled? Grease reduces sewage flow and creates buildup in most household pipes when poured down the drain. Recycling is free, easy and is reused into items like make-up, animal food and bio-diesel.
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Plastic Demystified Is plastic still confusing you? Plastics are typically classified by one of seven numbers used to identify the type of resin used to manufacture the item. Just because it has the recycling symbol does not mean it can be put in your recycling bin for pickup. • Athens-Clarke County accepts # 1 (PETE) and # 2 (HDPE) in your curbside bin and at drop off locations around town.
The Plastic Bag Problem
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) states • Hard (#1 & #2) plastics can be dropped off at that every year between 500 billion and a trillion the ACC Recycling Facility such as flower pots, plastic bags are consumed worldwide. Most grocery lawn furniture, broken toys and nursery trays. chains have bag recycling bins in front of or inside the store. Locally, bags can be recycled at Publix, Kroger, Piggly Wiggly, Ingles, EarthFare, or the ACC Recycling Facility.
TYPES OF PLASTICS
Sometimes plastic is the best or only choice for a product. Look for plastics that can be recycled in your residential recycling program and reuse if possible.
Plastic #1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE) Common uses: 2-liter soda bottles, water bottles, cooking oil bottles, peanut butter jars. Most residential recycling programs accept narrowneck PET containers.
Plastic #5: Polypropylene (PP) Common uses: ketchup bottles, aerosol caps, drinking straws, yogurt containers. #5 PP plastic is not readily recyclable. To mail #5 for recycling visit www.recycline.com/gimme5. *
Plastic #2: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Common uses: detergent bottles, milk and water jugs, grocery bags. Most residential recycling programs accept narrow-neck HDPE containers. #2 bags can be recycled at large grocery stores.
Plastic #6: Polystyrene (PS) Common uses: packaging pellets or Styrofoam peanuts, cups, plastic tableware, meat trays, to-go clamshell containers, egg cartons, shipping blocks. Many shipping/packaging stores will accept polystyrene peanuts and other packaging materials for reuse. Publix stores accepts cups, meat trays, egg cartons and other containers for recycling.*
Plastic #3: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or V) Common uses: plastic pipes, outdoor furniture, shrink-wrap, water bottles, liquid detergent containers. #3 PVC plastic is not readily recyclable.* Plastic #4: Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Common uses: food storage containers, dry cleaning bags, produce bags, trash can liners. Many residential recycling programs accept narrow-neck LDPE containers. #4 bags can can be recycled at large grocery stores.
Plastic #7: Other Common uses: 3- and 5-gallon reusable water bottles, Tupperware, biodegradable and compostable plastics. This plastic category, as its name of “other” implies, is any plastic other than the named #1– #6 plastic types. These containers can be several different types of plastic polymers. Biodegradable and compostable plastics are also labeled #7. Most recycling centers do not take plastic #7.*
* L ook for alternatives whenever possible.
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Residential Services Garbage & Recycling Private Haulers AAA Sanitation Curbside Services, Inc. F-4 Sanitation, Inc. Johnson & Son Personal Touch Robertson (Republic) Waste Pro
(706) 543-7788 (706) 769-1822 (706) 769-8211 (706) 546-0673 (706) 549-2434 (706) 353-7300 (706) 227-3222
PLEASE NOTE: This hauler list may not be complete. Please contact (706) 613-3501 ext. 0 for an up-to-date list, or visit our web site at www.acc-recycle.org/haulers.htm
Pay As You Throw
ACC haulers offer a collection program to our residential customers that decreases the cost of monthly service based on the amount of garbage collected. This variable rate service provides economic incentive to recycle more and generate less waste.
96-Gallon rollcart 64-Gallon rollcart 32-Gallon rollcart (avg for non-recycling family of 10+) (avg for family of 5-8) (avg for family of 2-4) Bag estimates based on 13 gallon kitchen bag. Challenge yourself to produce less trash each week!
REMINDER
ALL haulers approved to provide garbage and recycling services in ACC are required to offer their customers with a Pay-As-You-Throw garbage program (the less garbage you throw away, the less your garbage service will cost). Private haulers are also required to provide you with the opportunity for curbside recycling collection at least every other week. (ACC Solid Waste Ordinance, Section 5-2-29)
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Reuse Guide It’s not by accident that reuse is part of the waste management hierarchy of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, or that ones trash is anothers treasure! Reuse is defined as using a material over again in its current form without any significant processing that alters its material structure. Both recycling and reuse direct items away from the landfill and back into our lives so we can use the material again. However, the collection, processing, and remanufacture of recycled materials requires energy and water, and generates some waste, air, and water pollution. Reuse doesn’t. This is particularly true of televisions, computers, air conditioners, and refrigerators, which contain hazardous materials that require special handling and disposal. Some products like furniture, clothing, and dishes are not recyclable, but they can be saved from the landfill through reuse. Charitable organizations that operate reuse businesses provide a low cost option for people to buy the things they need and use profits to support social programs.
To donate eyeglasses for reuse, contact Lions Club member Bill Segars at (706) 549-4162
Athens Reuse Resources Episcopal Thrift House 450 Prince Avenue (706) 543-7047 Goodwill Industries of GA 10 Huntington Road (706) 433-1900 Habitat Re-Store 532 Barber Street (706) 354-0936 Play It Again Sports 3816 Atlanta Highway (706) 369-3477 Potter’s House 434 Prince Avenue (706) 546-5596 Project Safe Thrift Store 995 Hawthorne Avenue (706) 549-0922 1055 Gaines School Road (706) 552-2345 Salvation Army 484 Hawthorne Avenue (706) 543-5350 St. Mary’s Upscale Thrift 2165 W. Broad Street (706) 389-2772 USAgain Textile collection bins USAgain collects used clothes and shoes and resells them worldwide. There are several locations across Athens. www.usagain.com (678) 469- 3818
www.acc-recycle.org/special_recyclables
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ACC-Recycle.Org
Landfill Services and E-cycling (electronic recycling)
It is highly discouraged to put electronics, such as VCRs and microwaves into the garbage can. If thrown into the trash and landfill, they can potentially leak toxic substances; contaminate the land and water; pollute the air, and cause harm. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled. Working TVs, monitors, computers and other consumer electronics can be sold or donated, thereby prolonging their life.
Broken Electronics Athens-Clarke County residents can conveniently recycle old or broken electronics for FREE at the ACC Landfill. Ask the scale attendant where items are to be dropped. They DO NOT go into the landfill. Televisions are not accepted.
Motor oil and car battery recyclers Advanced Auto Part, 4280 Lexington Road and 322 North Ave. AutoZone Auto Parts, All Athens Locations CARCRAFT, 350 Hawthorne Ave. and 1401 Greensboro Hwy. NAPA Auto Parts, 4125 B Atlanta Hwy. and 1340 Greensboro Hwy. O’Reilly Auto Parts, 2950 Lexington Rd. Pep Boys, 3702 Atlanta Hwy. Sears Auto Center, 4365 Atlanta Hwy. Wal-Mart Super Center, 1911 Epps Bridge Rd. and 4375 Lexington Rd.
ACC Municipal Solid Waste Landfill 5700 Lexington Road (706) 613-3508 www.acc-recycle.org/landfill.htm Mon. - Fri. 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Sat. 7:30 am - 3:00 pm Sun. CLOSED Fees Garbage: Commercial: $42.00 per ton Residential: $1.50 per bag >6 bags <6 bags $42.00 per ton, $5.00 min. Leaf and Limb: Commercial: $18.00 per ton Residential: $18.00 per ton $5.00 minimum Recycling Information and Fees: Scrap Metal Recycling: Refrigerators, bicycles, small appliances, etc. can be recycled at the landfill FREE of charge. Proceeds from the sale of these items support local 4-H chapters. Tires (no rims): Passenger or truck: $3.00 per tire Commercial truck: $10.00 per tire Car Batteries: $1.00 per battery Propane Tank: $1.00 per tank
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Leaf and Limb Program
The ACC Solid Waste Department provides Leaf & Limb pick up for all Athens-Clarke County residents. WHY TAKE PART? • It is easy. • It is a service you are entitled to receive. • It saves you from paying a private hauler to pick up these materials. WHAT IS PICKED UP? • Grass • Weeds • Leaves • Brush • Prunings • Twigs • Pinestraw • Limbs & small branches(no more than 4 inches in diameter and 6 feet in length). WHAT IS NOT PICKED UP? • Bagged dirt/soil • Stumps • Flower pots • Garbage
• Rocks • Food • Logs • Tools
WHEN IS PICK UP? Pick up is scheduled once every 8 weeks; 6 times per year. For your pick up week: 1. Call (706) 613-3501 x451 to hear a recording of the current schedule. 2. A monthly printed schedule is available at: • ACC Water Business Offices Prince Avenue and Gaines School Road • ACC City Hall • ACC Main Library 3. Visit our web site www.acc-recycle.org and go to the Leaf & Limb section where you can find and print out a copy of the current schedule. 4. Watch ACTV on cable Channel 7.
For more information please call the Solid Waste Department or visit our website at www.acc-recycle.org WHAT TO DO? • Place leaves and limbs out by 8 a.m. on the Monday of your pick up week (see “when is pickup” on this form). • Put leaves, grass, weeds, etc. in paper lawn bags and place at the curb no more than 15 feet from the curb. • Stack limbs, brush and small branches in a pile at the curb. • Place Leaf & Limb outside NO MORE than ten (10) days before your scheduled pickup. Collection limits: You may put out one load per pick up. A “load” is: • 25 standard paper lawn refuse bags; or • One 3/4 ton pickup truck load of bagged leaves and/or limbs; or • A pile 6 feet long x 4.5 feet deep. SPECIAL PICK UPS If you would like to arrange for a special pick up of leaf & limb materials, please call (706) 613-3501. Fees begin at $75 plus $18 per ton for disposal. You may also arrange for additional pick ups by a private service provider. Check your local yellow pages for haulers. FACTS ABOUT LEAF & LIMB Leaf and limb material collected by ACC Solid Waste is taken to the ACC Landfill mulching and compost site.
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Directory Administration Main Number Fax Number Director Administrative Assistant Billing Coordinator Billing Technician Customer Service Rep. Leaf and Limb schedule Holiday schedule
Collections
Superintendent Crewleader Crewleader
(706) 613-3501 (706) 613-3504 (706) 613-3501 Ext. 305 (706) 613-3501 Ext. 0 (706) 613-3501 Ext. 302 (706) 613-3501 Ext. 307 (706) 613-3501 Ext. 315 (706) 613-3501 Ext. 451 (706) 613-3501 Ext. 450 (706) 613-3501 Ext. 303 (706) 613-3501 Ext. 304 (706) 613-3501 Ext. 308
For missed garbage and recycling pickups, please call the Solid Waste Department at (706) 613-3501 Ext. 0. For recycling bins, please call the Solid Waste Customer Service Representative at (706) 613-3501 Ext. 315. For more information, to find a staff e-mail address, or general information, visit us at www.ACC-Recycle.org.
Recycling Division Main Number Waste Reduction Administrator Program Education Specialist Household Hazardous Waste Specialist
(706) 613-3512 (706) 613-3512 Ext. 317 (706) 613-3512 Ext. 316 (706) 613-3501 Ext. 306
Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful Executive Director Program Assistant Litter Hotline
(706) 613-3501 Ext. 312 (706) 613-3501 Ext. 309 (706) 613-3506
Call now!
Event recycling is mandatory at events on public property. Event recycling containers are available for FREE on an asneeded basis! Need some bins for a private event? Just call the ACC Recycling Division at (706) 613-3512 or email at recycle@co.clarke.ga.us to reserve bins and learn techniques to recycle better at your next event. Take your event to the next level by making it waste free! Through careful planning, you can eliminate trash at your next function. Here are some tips: Buy only what you need to avoid leftovers. Recycle cans, bottles, and paper bags. Use �latware instead of plastic utensils. Cover foods with aluminum foil. Reuse plastic baggies. Use re�illable drink containers. Offer reusable plates and serveware. Use cloth napkins instead of paper. Compost food scraps and cut �lowers.
Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department Recycling Division P. O. Box 1868 Athens, GA 30603-1868 www.acc-recycle.org
Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division
Printed on Recycled Content
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