In an earlier era, people understood the three R’s to be reading, writing and arithmetic.
But in a time of heightened awareness for protection of the natural environment, others may first think of the three R’s as reduce, reuse and recycle.
That’s especially true today, observed nationally and locally as “America Recycles Day,” launched in 1997 by the National Recycling Coalition.
The Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District marks the day with “Get Caught Recycling,” a promotion that offers rewards to people who support the cause.
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People who bring in recyclables today at the Columbus/Bartholomew Recycling Center, 720 S. Mapleton St., or county landfill, 811 E. County Road 450S, may receive a goody bag filled with items and coupons donated by area businesses.
But the most significant recycling event this week will be Saturday’s Amnesty Day, said Heather Siesel, director of solid waste management district.
Last year’s Amnesty Day program brought in 223 tires, 105 appliances and 16 propane tanks.
That opportunity returns Saturday when the district will accept up for four tires with the rims removed, as well as propane tanks and appliances containing refrigerants, without charge from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mapleton Street recycling center.
The normal charge for tire disposal is $1.50 for each tire, while the district charges $20 for accepting each appliance with coolants.
Usually, those items are only accepted at the landfill. However, they can be dropped off at the landfill or the recycling center for free on Saturday.
Document shredding will also be offered for free from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday by Speedy Shred.
As she dropped off a wide variety of items at the recycling center Wednesday, Mary Kohen said she only has to make the trip to the Mapleton Street facility once every three weeks.
“I live west of town, so it’s quite a haul to do it,” Kohen said. “But it means a lot to me to do everything possible to avoid putting items in the landfill.”
Whenever possible, Kohen and her husband, Ian, try to buy items that can be reused, instead of recycled, she said.
Market fluctuations
For decades, most residents of Bartholomew County have enthusiastically engaged in the standard recycling of glass, cardboard, newspaper, books, plastic and aluminum.
Last year, about 19,353 tons of material was recycled or reused in Bartholomew County, bringing in revenue of $227,971 from the sale of recyclables. That was an increase of $96,646 from 2016, according to online reports.
That 42 percent jump in income illustrates how revenues can greatly fluctuate with market demand, the cost of transportation to market, the level of processing and the volume of material shipped to market, Siesel said.
Unfortunately, the market for recyclables is substantially down this year.
The biggest demand among business customers is for cardboard, although prices are down for that commodity as well as for metals, Siesel said.
The biggest share of recyclable material from the U.S. is normally shipped to China, Siesel said. But the Chinese government earlier this year announced plans for a 25 percent tariff on old corrugated cardboard and other recovered fiber, as well as scrap plastic, in retaliation for the latest U.S. tariff proposals. The tariffs went into effect on Aug. 23.
“There’s really not a lot of local markets for these recyclables,” Siesel said.
A greater purpose
Ultimately, recycling is about much more than generating revenue. It’s about conserving natural resources, reducing landfill space, preserving land and saving energy, she said.
Most recyclables received in Bartholomew County are separated locally, as well as reduced in volume, at the Mapleton Street facility, Siesel said.
Standard recyclables (glass, cardboard, newspaper, books, plastic and aluminum), as well as electronics, generally go to various facilities in Indianapolis, while material deposited in co-mingled bins are sent to a separate materials recovery operation, Siesel said.
In contrast, yard waste is either reused at the site, given back to the public in the form of mulch, or sold to commercial haulers, she said.
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America Recycles Day-Amnesty Day will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Columbus/Bartholomew Recycling Center, 720 S. Mapleton St.
Items that will be accepted without charge includes up to four vehicle tires (rims removed), two CFC/refrigerant containing appliances, and two gas grill propane tanks.
In addition, the Speedy Shred service for document shredding will be available free of charge from 1 until 3 p.m.
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Learn more about America Recycles Day and recycling in general at americarecyclesday.org
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Learn more about local recycling opportunities by visiting the Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District website at bcswmd.com
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Bartholomew County residents without curbside recycling have several options for dropping off unwanted household items.
The Columbus/Bartholomew County Recycling Center, 720 S. Mapleton St., Columbus, is open to all Bartholomew County residents and businesses. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Satellite recycling locations are open from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday at:
- Petersville Convenience Station, 11110 25th St., Columbus.
- Harrison Township Convenience Station, 10293 Old Nashville Road, Columbus.
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The curbside recycling program for City of Columbus residents began in 2015. People who live in single-family homes or apartment complexes with four or fewer units are eligible for the free program.
To sign up for curbside recycling:
- Visit columbus.in.gov/columbus-recycles/
- Select the "Sign Up!" option from the menu on the left side of the screen
- Enter your address and contact information
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