November has been proclaimed as Recycling Month in Macon County in connection with America Recycles Day on November 15, 2012. All residents and businesses in the county are encouraged to recycle and reduce their waste. As part of our annual recycling awareness campaign, brochures with information of local recycling resources are available throughout many businesses in the county. This information is also available on the county web site.
In just 11 short years, Macon County has risen from 11% of total waste being reduced or recycled county-wide, to an astounding 94% of all waste being recycled. The state of Tennessee requires that all counties/regions meet a 25% waste reduction goal each year. The calculation of 94%, in real time methodology, showed Macon County had the second highest percentage of recycling and waste reduction, just below the first ranked Sevier County in the Smokey Mountains. Macon County also continues to manage its solid waste with very low cost in comparison to other counties in the state.
The Macon County Solid Waste Dept. has set goals and made strategic plans over the years to steadily increase the amount of recycling since 2001, while decreasing the amount of waste disposed to landfills. Teamwork within the department has been essential. Dedicated employees of the Solid Waste Dept. are, Robert Coons, Chuck McLerran, Doug Knight and Debbie Richardson-Harper, Director. Success does not come easy, nor does it come single-handedly. The efforts of all sectors of the county, including the citizens, schools, government offices, commercial businesses, industries, and institutions are very important. It takes a community working together to achieve good things. Education and awareness to the public has been essential, while continuing to implement new recycling programs to our county.
The Macon County Solid Waste Dept. maintains collection sites located throughout the county for public use 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no charge. Look for the large red containers that are lettered “ Please Recycle” . These containers are located at Westside on Hwy 52, in Lafayette at Hardees on Hwy 52 By-Pass, Career Center (4 containers) on Hwy 52 By-Pass, Hillwood RBS on Hwy 52, and at the Macon County Transfer Station on Heady Ridge Road in Red Boiling Springs. We accept newspaper, mixed paper, magazines, books, plastics #1 and #2, aluminum cans, tin food cans, and cardboard. Other items, such as tires, electronics, metal, fluorescent bulbs, antifreeze, propane cylinders, lead acid batteries, rechargeable batteries, and household paint can be recycled at the transfer station or through local businesses in the county. The Macon County Solid Waste Department also maintains recycling programs at each of the eight schools in the county with hands-on involvement with students and staff.
For information on recycling with your household or business, visit our web site www.maconcountytn.com, (click on Recycling) or call the Macon County Solid Waste Dept. at 615-699-3707.
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