As the Solid Waste Management Director, Debbie does a lot more than just weigh loads of trash and take money through that little window. Behind the window at the transfer station, she is a highly organized and detail oriented business woman; and one with a cause. She's also an avid champion for the cause of recycling.
“You have to like what you do and believe in it,” Debbie said when asked about her zeal for promoting recycling.
Ms. Richardson simply doesn't take ‘no' for an answer when it comes to recycling. She also serves on the north Central Recycling Board of Directors and is the current chairman of the Macon County Beautification Committee.
The state currently requires each region to reduce the amount of solid waste going into landfills by 25% annually. Debbie becomes animated with enthusiasm as she tells how the transfer station team and the recycling citizens of Macon County reduced landfill deposits by 54% during 2005. She and the transfer station team - Robert Coons, Chuck (Junior) McLerran, and Chris Taylor - are putting Macon County on the map with improvements in solid waste management.
Debbie simply beams when she talks about the transfer station team. She proudly reports that Robert, Junior, and Chris take their jobs seriously and go above and beyond the call of duty in everything that they do.
Robert Coons sorts items and monitors the unloading area. Junior McLerran drives the red recycling truck, taking the recycling containers to the North Central Recycling Center in Hartsville. Chris Taylor drives the new Mac truck and transports waste to the Smith County landfill.
In addition to their primary duties, the entire team participates with Debbie in strategic planning for initiatives and projects.
“I listen to what they have to say,” she explains, “because they know what they are doing, and they know what works and what doesn't work.”
Even when the team does not whole heartedly agree with one of her new ideas, they are great about trying something new for a day or two.
“Sometimes a new idea works and sometimes it doesn't,” Debbie laughs as she describes how comfortably the team works together. When a new idea doesn't work, they don't do it again. Everyone shares the success when a new idea does work, because it was a team effort.
Debbie commends the entire community for the ongoing efforts to increase recycling and reduce costs associated with solid waste disposal. Individuals, schools, and businesses have joined forces to reduce the amount of waste going into the landfills.
There is a big difference between knowing that recycling is the right thing to do, and being motivated to consistently do it. Many of us recycle some, but not consistently.
When asked how to bridge that gap, Debbie immediately provided the motivation: the household budget. Whether the household budget is large or small, there are better ways to spend it than on trash disposal.
For individuals, recycling reduces the number of trips to the transfer station and the amount spent on fees for depositing trash. Recycling will also eliminate fees for exceeding bag limits for those that have garbage collection services.
Separating trash for recycling decreases the amount of waste that the transfer station has to haul to landfills, and allows the county to spend less on solid waste disposal fees. Pose any recycling obstacle and Debbie will suggest a solution. She emphasizes that recycling is free, and everyone benefits from doing it.
Recycling can be done without adding to everyone's already full to-do list. As Debbie explains, recycling is a behavior that we can learn in a few minutes. It's not an extra job, but something that can become part of a daily routine in three easy steps:
1. Set up containers for different kinds of trash. (Use bags, boxes, or separate trash cans.)
2. Separate trash as you toss it.
3. Take accumulated items to the nearest red recycling bins.
Every drive down the by-pass and routine shopping trip is an opportunity to drop off large or small deposits of cardboard, food and drink cans, plastic discards, and bundles of paper and junk mail.
Recycling centers are located at convenient stops off the Highway 52 ByPass in Lafayette and Red Boiling Springs. Look for the red recycling containers in Lafayette at Westside, The Career Center, and Wal-Mart, all on the ByPass. A new recycling center was recently set up at Jr. Foods on the Scottsville Road.
In Red Boiling Springs, recycling centers are located in the Hillwood Shopping Center, on Highway 52, and at the Macon County Transfer Station on Heady Ridge Road. The Transfer station is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. till 3 p.m. and on the second Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. till noon.
Each center accepts paper, plastic, cans, and cardboard. A new container located at the Career Center is for large, unwieldy cardboard pieces and containers. Recycling centers are also provided during ball games at ten fields throughout the community.
Ms. Richardson also reminds everyone to donate usable items to organizations such as Macon Helps, and to return items such as tires, batteries and motor oil to retailers of those items.
Debbie is tireless in her quest to spread the message that recycling reduces landfill deposits and saves money for both individuals and the county. Anyone with doubts about how easy recycling can be, can spend a few minutes with her and learn the facts; her enthusiasm is contagious.
She would much rather discuss the benefits of recycling than to discuss her personal accomplishments; but she is the dedicated mom of three terrific sons, a dynamic business woman, a respected team leader, and an outstanding citizen of Macon County.
Debbie is available to speak with large or small groups on the subject of recycling. She may be reached at 699-3707.
Collection Sites
Westside - Hwy 52, Westside
Wal-Mart - Hwy 52, Lafayette
Career Center - Hwy 52, Lafayette
Jr. Foods - Scottsville Rd. Lafayette
Hillwood Shopping Center - Hwy 52, RBS
Transfer Station - Hwy 52, RBS
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