By Matt Hartzell and Gay West
The Bibb-Chilton Regional Recycling project is underway! Recycling collection containers have been delivered to locations in Bibb and Chilton counties.
Project information is available at www.aces.edu/bibbchiltonrecycling and perhaps some of you have seen email or Facebook updates about the project.
Here are the FAQs (frequently asked questions):
1. Where are the recycling collection containers located? There are five containers in Chilton County. Containers are at the old train station in Maplesville, former Clanton Recycling Center behind the former Wood Drug store in Thorsby and behind the former city hall in Jemison.
2. What recyclable materials are accepted and may be placed in the containers? No. 1 plastic containers, No. 2 plastic containers, aluminum cans, metal cans, newspaper, non-waxed cardboard, shredded paper and paperback books.
3. How do I know if the plastic container I’m recycling is No. 1 or No. 2 plastic? Look on the bottom of the container for a triangular arrow with a number in the middle. If the number is 1 or 2, you can deposit it into the recycling containers.
4. Do I need to separate the types of recyclable materials? No, you can mix and bag them together, and the container interiors are one large compartment. However, for sanitary reasons at your home, in/around the containers, and the health of those who handle the materials, please lightly rinse aluminum, metal or plastic containers and do not recycle paper that has touched food (i.e., pizza boxes).
5. Who can I call to get more information or ask questions? Call the Chilton County Extension Office at (205) 280-6268 or call Bibb County Extension Office at (205) 926-4310. Brochures and posters are available at no cost at the Chilton County Extension Office at 504 First Ave. in Clanton. Container vandalism or illegal dumping of non-recyclable items can be reported to the ICS Department at Bibb Correctional Facility at (205) 926-5252.
6. What will happen to the material once it has been placed in the bins? Alabama Department of Corrections staff will collect containers filled with recyclable materials and transport them to Bibb Correctional Facility in Brent. Inmates at Bibb Correctional Facility will then load collected recyclables onto a tractor trailer, which will be transported when filled to Elmore Correctional Facility. There, inmates will offload, separate and place recycled materials into designated areas or containers. The materials will then be baled, sold and transported to private sector processors to be re-used or converted into new materials.
The Bibb-Chilton Regional Recycling program is a partnership of state and local entities that encourages citizens in Bibb and Chilton counties to recycle materials once considered waste into new products. In the process, area residents improve their own quality of life by embracing sustainable living and environmental stewardship, which in turn foster economic well-being by reducing roadside litter, landfill waste and associated costs.
This project was funded by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management through a grant from the Alabama Recycling Fund, and it is the result of cooperation among many partners, including the Alabama Department of Corrections, Bibb County Commission, Chilton County Commission, Bibb County Schools, Bibb County Chamber of Commerce and municipalities in Bibb and Chilton counties.
Matt Hartzell is County Extension Coordinator of Bibb County. Gay West is County Extension Coordinator of Chilton County.