How it all started….

Recycling began in Rockbridge County in 1989, when volunteers worked together to collect recyclables and forward them to available markets.

By 1991, it was necessary to formulate a more structured program, both to encourage more participation and to establish guidelines for citizens and businesses. During this time the first recycling center was established at the College Square Shopping Center.

In 1993, a second recycling center was established in the Fairfield vicinity to serve the population in the north sector of the county. In 1996, a third recycling center was established, providing service for the residents in the Murat/Collierstown vicinity. There are now five operating recycling centers in Rockbridge County.

Education….

Recycling efforts involve classroom education, civic education, and public events. To sign up for the monthly Recycle, Rockbridge! e-newsletter, or for questions regarding recycling education, contact Education & Outreach Coordinator Stephen Lucas at 463-2437, or by e-mail at stephen_lucas@co.rockbridge.va.us.

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Use the 3 R’s!

REDUCE

You can reduce the overall amount of garbage generated in your home by buying fewer disposable items, avoiding over packaged items and by buying in bulk.

REUSE

Another form of recycling; reusing means saving items that would often be thrown out and using them again. Some suggestions for reuse are:

Donating magazines to libraries, waiting areas, nursing homes, and local book swaps
Conducting or shopping garage sales
Frequenting thrift shops
Donating used goods to charities

RECYCLE

Check items that are going to be put in the trash to see if they can be recycled at your local recycling center. Many containers and everyday items that we throw away can be recycled. By taking the above simple steps to recycle, we can save money, landfill space and help preserve our natural resources. Our cooperative efforts will make a difference!

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Begin recycling!

Sorting recyclables prior to coming to the recycling center makes your trip quick and easy. Support staff is available during hours of operation to assist you with recyclables. For health and safety reasons, as well as for recycling purposes, all recyclables need to be clean and dry.

WHAT TO RECYCLE:

Ø Aluminum (rinse cans out)

Ø Cardboard (flatten & dry)

Ø Mixed Paper (must be clean & dry)

Ø Newspaper (must be clean & dry)

Ø Plastic #1 through 7 (remove tops and rinse out)

Ø Tin Cans (rinse out)

Ø Computers (Greenhouse Road)

Ø Ink Cartridges (Greenhouse Road)

Ø Batteries (Greenhouse Road, Fairfield, and Glasgow)

Ø Florescent Bulbs (Greenhouse Road, Fairfield, and Glasgow)

Ø Scrap Metal (Greenhouse Road, Fairfield, and Glasgow)

Ø Crayons (Greenhouse Road, Fairfield, Murat, Glasgow) Crayon box located in recycling center library

Ø Glass (Greenhouse Road, Fairfield, Glasgow, Murat)

For questions regarding recycling centers, contact Recycling Center Field Supervisor, Sondra Bateman, at 463-2437, or email Sondra Bateman.

Quick Recycling Facts

ü Recycling saves resources.

ü Recycling saves energy.

ü Recycling reduces the size of disposal sites.

ü Recycling reduces litter.

ü Recycling takes little time.

ü You can make 20 recycled aluminum cans with energy it takes to make one new aluminum can.

ü There are approximately 23 cans to one pound of aluminum.

ü It takes 3 tons of recycle newspaper to make on ton of paper.

ü Paper made from waste papers instead of virgin wood requires 61% less water and results in 70% fewer air pollutants.

ü A foot of newspaper tightly twined = 30 pounds.

ü Nature can recycle a tin can to dust in 100 years, and an aluminum can in 500 years, but a glass bottle takes one million years.

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