Community Recycling Center Announcements
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Holiday Tips to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Kerrville, Texas (December 1, 2014) –
Consistent with the solid waste master plan, the City is taking the first initiative in expanding the recycling efforts in the community. The Community Recycling Center located at 500 Hays Street, will now have expanded hours and services. Recycling is an important service to the community and the schedule was modified to streamline our commitment for recycling efforts, coincide better with the peak hours of demand and also to allow the facility to be open during the lunch hour every business day. The Recycling Center hours of operation include an additional 10 hours per week and are as follows:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., (closed 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.); and Every 3rd Saturday of each Month from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
In addition to the expanded hours, there will no longer be restrictions on items accepted associated with a particular weekday. Before, the Recycling Center had a schedule in which items were only accepted on certain days (ex: scrap metals and large quantities of cardboard only accepted on Tuesdays). Now, all items that are accepted by the Recycling Center will be received during all operating hours.
Recycling helps extend the life and usefulness of something that has already served its initial purpose by producing something that is useable. Recycling is one of the best ways for you to have a positive impact on the world in which we live. Having a Community Recycling Center in Kerrville allows citizens to be a contributor to the growing trend of communities that are aiming for waste reduction and taking steps towards making a positive impact on the environment.
Due to the limited market for recycled glass, the cost associated with recycling it, and safety, the Recycling Center will no longer be accepting glass as a drop off service which alleviates the financial and safety concerns. The city has expended roughly $5,000 annually in fees to process the collected glass and transport to its final destination. Glass creates a safety hazard at both the collection site and the final destination. At the Recycling Center, glass shards are a constant presence on the floor where staff work and vehicles drive through. Glass will still be accepted through the city’s curbside recycling service.
With the holiday season now upon us, there will be plenty of favorite dishes being prepared over the next couple of months. The downside to that is that there will also be plenty of food that gets wasted and disposed of in the garbage. A recent article from the 4 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality states that food waste accounts for 18% of municipal solid waste that is sent to landfills or improperly disposed of in the garbage disposal. That’s over 30 million tons each year! You can help REDUCE that amount by planning accordingly. This could actually save you money which is important considering Christmas is right around the corner. Know how many people will be attending and their preferences to help minimize waste. You can also search for recipes which allow you to REUSE leftover foods. For those do it yourself composters, this is a good time to RECYCLE leftovers by adding them to your composting pile.
For those interested in composting, information is available on the Take Care of Texas website at http://takecareoftexas.org/search/node/composting. Several brochures on composting, recycling, and conservation are also available at the Water Records office located at City Hall, 701 Main Street.
The following tips are also recommended:
ï?· Scrape food scraps into the trash rather than the sink to prevent buildup;
ï?· Non reusable cooking oil can be properly disposed of by placing in sealable containers and placing them in the trash;
ï?· Clay kitty litter can also be used to solidify cooking oil. Once all the oil has been absorbed, it can be placed in a bag and disposed of with your trash.
"The holiday season brings many opportunities to be more environmentally conscience," said David Barrera, Solid Waste & Environmental Specialist. "Get creative and look for ways to REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, and CONSERVE. Also remember to take along your reusable shopping bags during the busy shopping season."
For additional information contact Ashlea Boyle, Special Projects Manager at (830) 258-1153 via e-mail to ashlea.boyle@kerrvilletx.gov or visit the city’s website