Recycling
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 satellite-recycling center was established, providing service for the residents in the Murat/Collierstown vicinity. In 2007, a fourth center was established in Goshen, and in 2008 a fifth center in Glasgow. In 2009, the College Square center moved to its new and improved location on Greenhouse Road.
Recycling efforts involve classroom and civic education, educational presentations, and public events. To request an educational presentation, or to sign up for the Recycle Rockbridge e-mail newsletter, contact the Recycling Education Outreach Coordinator, Stephen Lucas, at 463-2437, or by e-mail at stephen_lucas@co.rockbridge.va.us. You can find us on Facebook: while logged into your account on www.facebook.com, type “Recycle Rockbridge” in the search box.
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:
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Donating magazines to libraries, waiting areas, nursing homes, and local book swaps
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Conducting or shopping garage sales
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Frequenting thrift shops
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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!
Setting up the home for recycling…
A home “recycling center” can be setup many different ways. One way is to have sturdy boxes for paper, plastic, cans and glass. Sorting recyclables prior to coming to the recycling center makes your trip quick and easy.
Rockbridge County Recycling is pleased to partner with Rockbridge Resource Recovery (RRR) in improving and increasing recycling capabilities. The Rockbridge County Recycling Collection Centers are for residential use only. No businesses are permitted to bring recyclables to the collection centers, with the exception of contractors. The County strongly encourages citizens to recycle all materials as listed:
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Tin (clean)
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Aluminum (crushed & clean)
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Plastic #1-7 (clean; no bags)
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Glass (all colors)
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Mixed Paper (dry)
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Newspaper (dry)
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Cardboard (dry & flattened)
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Scrap Metal
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Rechargeable Batteries
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Computers (Greenhouse Road)
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Ink Cartridges (Greenhouse Road)
Support staff is available during hours of operation at each recycling center to assist the public with their recyclables and help with identification if needed. For health and safety reasons, please make sure recyclables are clean and dry. For questions regarding recycling center procedures, contact the Recycling Operations Manager, Sondra Bateman, at 463-2437, or by e-mail at sondra_bateman@co.rockbridge.va.us.
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.