I cannot believe that we’re into October already! It’s so beautiful out as I traverse the highways and byways of our beloved Paulding County. I don’t know about you, but the leaves seem extra spectacular this year.
It’s been a full two years since Erie Recycling went out of business and I can, with all confidence, let you know that your WMEA Program is hitting on all cylinders! Our large Villages (Paulding, Payne and Antwerp) all get three trailers each and Grover Hill is holding at one for right now. The third Wednesday of the month will find me out and about with the big trailer picking up in Cecil, Junction, Haviland and then Latty. I am hopeful that at some point in the near future we’ll be able to add Oakwood back in. We’ve had some hiccups along the way, most notably a number of dumping incidents. I would like to remind you that dumping is against the law and that all material that is dumped, with no exceptions, goes straight into landfill. I would also like to remind you, that when you dump, you’re creating a lot of work for someone else. Our nocturnal friends like to tear open sacks looking for food and then after they’re done, the rest blows all over the surrounding area. Someone then has to pick it up and dispose of it. The last time it happened, 2 of our County Engineer heroes went out and cleaned it up as I was sick. Please keep in mind that this recycling service is provided at no charge to you. I wish we could have unlimited trailers for each location to accommodate ALL your schedules and ALL the recycling that you could possibly come up with. Such is not the case. We have a fantastic program for the size of our budget and 99% of you realize that and support it. I would ask the remaining 1% of you to get on board and just accept that we do have limitations.
I would like to provide some numbers so you can pat yourselves on the back!!
For the last three years we are averaging about 100 tons per/year in recyclable materials diverted from landfill. For the size of our County, that is absolutely fantastic. I have been able to add in an additional 30% more pickups than prior to Covid. Part of that are some businesses that only get picked up in the summer. Once school is back in session they resume doing their own. Not that they’ll brag or anything, but our Junction recyclers continue to knock it out of the ballpark with their participation in the Program. It’s sort of a “happening” over there. People enjoy visiting with each other and a couple folks always bring their dogs along for me to love on. Another one always brings her precious kiddos with her and I get to say hi and admire their newest fashions in shoes and/or sunglasses! I always look forward to the third Wednesday as it gives me time to talk to many of you and get feedback.
One frustration that has been expressed consistently is that the trailers fill up too fast. We are maxed out on budget (in terms of more trailers) so a solution would be that if everyone could empty their sacks full of plastic instead of throwing them in as is. None of the sacks that you throw in can be recycled and they take up MUCH more room than if you empty the contents out. It would also be helpful to collapse all of your cardboard. If you have a lot, then collapse it all and stack in ONE box and throw that in. Just as a reminder, the two trailers with windows are for everything but cardboard. Cardboard should go in the open top trailer, in spite of how the trailers may be labeled by Werlor’s. Once we fill the window trailers up, then there is no choice but to start putting material in the cardboard trailer.
Now on to the fun stuff!!
On Saturday, October 21st, we’re having a special paint and fluorescent bulb recycling event. It will be from 9:00-12:00 (so as not to interfere with any football games) and held across from the Fairgrounds, where the trailers are normally placed. Bring all your cans of latex paint/stains and FINALLY get them out of your garage! It must be the original container and we reserve the right to refuse anything that appears to not be latex. Our paint specialists will be on hand to evaluate all paint and amounts don’t matter. If it’s a dab or a whole can bring it to us. No limits to the number but a $1.00/can fee will be charged and $5/bucket to offset the $800 that the Program is being charged to provide this service.
Bring me all your old fluorescent bulbs, that you haven’t known what to do with, as well. If you have more than one, please wrap some tape around the top and bottom so they don’t slide around during transport to Menards. Lowes and Menards both, will take our fluorescent bulbs. Rain date will be the next Saturday, October 28th, same time and place. If we do get rained out, I’ll have signage out there reflecting the same.
As always, call me with any questions at 832-444-4814 or at the office 419-399-3630. Email is shannon@pauldingcountywmea.com
