Debbie Richardson Harper

Macon County Solid Waste Director

November is Recycling Month for all of Macon County in connection with America Recycles Day on November 15. Residents and Businesses across the county are encouraged to boost their recycling efforts during this time.

The average person produces 1 ton (2000 lbs.) of trash per year. Imagine how much money you spend to dispose of that trash.

Wouldn't it be nice to save money on something for a change? Recycling is a good way to cut the expenses of trash disposal, while reducing the amount of trash going into landfills from your own household by 50% or more.

How do you recycle? Recycling is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3. First, designate a specific containers for recycling in your home or business. This could be another trash can or simply a cardboard box.

Second, put only recycling items in these containers. Third, take the bag of recycling to your nearest collection site. It's that easy !

Collection sites are located throughout the county for public use 24 hours a day, 7 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 (2) on Hwy 52 By-Pass, Jr. Foods on Scottsville Rd., 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.

Many other items can be recycled at the transfer station, through local retail stores, or through local salvage businesses in the county. Check out our new recycling brochure on the Macon County website, www.maconcountytn.com Click on “recycling” or “solid waste”.

As the holidays are fast approaching and family gatherings are being planned, please be conscious of recycling when you dispose of your waste.

Many things you will use during your meals and gift exchange are recyclable.

For example, your plastic soda bottles, milk jugs, juice jugs, detergent bottles which are plastics #1 and #2 are recyclable. Aluminum cans and their cardboard containers are recyclable. Tin food cans are recyclable. Dry food boxes, such as cake mix, macaroni/cheese, and cereal boxes are also recyclable.

Gift wrapping paper, cardboard gift boxes and shipping boxes are all recyclable. These items can be taken to your nearest recycling collection container for disposal. If you're not sure what is recyclable, just look for the recycling symbol usually located on the bottom of the item.

Macon County's Recycling Program is coordinated by the Macon County Solid Waste Dept. For more information, please call Debbie Richardson Harper, Director, at 615-699-3707.