The Enterprise Ledger | City benefits from recycling... -
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Published on: 6/28/2005
Last Visited: 6/28/2005
According to Director of Public Works Bill Shelton, the 40 percent participation rate is rare and is double the national average.
"We have a high number of participants in the program," he said."Especially from new residents, who always seem eager to be involved."
Shelton said the recycling program got under way in 2002 and participation has remained steady.
"We encourage participation by new residents and provide them with an orange bag and flyer with information about the program."
Recently the city was awarded a $10,000 state grant that was used to purchase a forklift.
"We received the grant because of the high number of participants and service the citywide curb side recycling program provides to the residents," Shelton said.
The city provides once a week household pick-up of recycled materials.The materials are then sorted and picked up about twice a week from Waste Recycling in Dothan.
"With just about four months left in this fiscal year, the city has generated $49,669 for about 700 tons of garbage," Shelton said.
The recyclable program is a win-win situation for the city and the Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center.
"The money made from the recycling program is given to Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center," Shelton said."Employees from the center sort the garbage, so the city is helping put people to work.The city benefits because we save money on landfill fees and help protect the environment."
During the current fiscal year, Shelton estimates the city has saved nearly $12,000 in landfill fees and an additional $1,400 in travel expense to the county landfill.