Environmental Resource Guidefor Athens-Clarke County

After more than seventy years on College Avenue, the Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department has moved to 725 Hancock Industrial Way. The new structure was built to meet LEED standards and is expected to be the �rst ACC LEED Gold certi�ed building.Some of the innovative features include a geothermal heat pump, rainwater cistern for irrigation and toilets, extensive use of natural light, porous pave-ment and the use of recycled materials throughout the facility. Water conser-vation measures include a vehicle wash system that recirculates and treats wash water and bio-retention ponds to minimize the impact of storm water run-o�. The Solid Waste Department strives to be a leader in green initiatives in our community. Our input in planning this new facility shows our continued e�orts in leading green iniatitives and commitment to preserving the planet.

- Jim Corley, Director Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department

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INTRODUCTION 2 You Are Making a Di�erence

SERVICES AND INFORMATION 4

Recycling in the Home O�ce 5

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Single Stream

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Recycle all your paper. All the time.

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What’s in the Bin?

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Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful

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Where’s the Bin?

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School Resources and Services

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Food Scrap Recycling (Compost)

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Household Hazardous Waste

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ADDITIONAL SERVICES

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Kids Rule! - Recycling for the family

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SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

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Divisions and Phone Numbers

Inside This Guide Recycling from A – Z

18 Aluminum Cans22 Appliances11 Artwork and “Almost Masterpieces” 5 Audio and VHS tapes16 Batteries 8 Books22 Car Batteries

5 CD’s and DVD’s13 Cardboard

5 Cellular Phones

21 Clothing and Textiles9 Computers

6 Christmas Trees

17 Couches

9 Electronics21 Eyeglasses

16 Fluorescent Lamps and Ballasts14 Food Donations

21 Furniture8 Glue Bottles and Sticks

18 Grease and Cooking Oil

15 Household Hazardous Waste5 Inkjet and Laser Cartridges

11 Junk Mail

18 Metal – Scrap 16 Microwaves 22 Motor Oil15 Needles and Sharps

17 Medications

5 Paper shreds

18 Pallets12 Paper and Cardboard

8 Wrappers (candy and snack)

12 Pizza Boxes

22 Propane Tanks21 Shoes

5 Styrofoam (EPS)5 Telephone Books

22 Tires23 Wood and Yard Trimmings

Universal Waste

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Athens-Clarke County Land�ll Services

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Rx Disposal Guide17

KACCB in the Community

Electronic Recycling Sources

19 Plastic

11 Magazines

8 Hardcover Books

8 Crayons

14 Food Scrap Recycling (Compost)

Become a fan, join our list, or follow us!

Construction and Demolition, Metals.

Plastics Demysti�ed

Who hauls and how much?

21 Reuse Guide

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Leaf and Limb Information

2 ACC-Recycle.Org

Thanks to your dedicationand commitment, every year the amount we recycle continues to increase. With your help,

we are diverting morewaste from our land�lls:

from a mere 4,289.54 tons diverted in 1996 to 11,564.23 tons in 2000 to a whopping 14,433.34 tons in 2009.*

That translates into a 236% increase from1996 to 2009 that didn’t go into the land�ll, which means water and energy saved, reduced greenhouse gases, and an improved environ- ment in Athens. Our county diverted 40% ofall waste away from the land�ll in 2009 whenall recycling activities were totaled.

*These tonnages are for the ACC Recycling Facility only.

• Reduce & Reuse – By not producing new products, we reduce waste, energy use, transportation needs, and deforestation. This translates into a signi�cant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

• Recycling & Rethinking– By recycling, we conserve natural resources. This simple action decreases greenhouse gas emissions from mining, transportation, processing, and manufacturing. By rethinking about our purchases, we can liveon what we need instead of what we want.

• Composting – Organic waste is the most prevalent item in our waste stream and generates more methane in the land�ll than any other material. Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas – more than twenty times more potent than carbon dioxide!

You are making a DIFFERENCE

Everyone agrees that it is good to recycle. But did you know that practicing the �ve R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink, and rot (compost) – is one of the easiest and most cost-e�ective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

This book is printed on recycled content with vegetable based inks.

3You are Making a Di�erence

YOUR RECYCLING EFFORTS ARE PAYING OFFRecycling your paper, bottles,cans, yard waste, and foodscraps makes a huge di�er-ence to our local economyand conserves naturalresources.

In 2009, here’s what Athens-Clarke County recyclinge�orts have done: *

TREES SAVED324 acres of standing treesThis factor is based on CO2 sequestration per tree.

ENERGY SAVED358,816 BTUsThis is the equivalent to theamount of energy used by4,231 homes in one year.

GREENHOUSE GASESREDUCED46,502 MTCE This is the equivalent saving 5,278,346 gallons of gasolineand 108,145 barrels of oil.

*Derived from Georgia Re-Trac reporting system (based on the EPA WARM Model).

There are lots of things we can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Practicing the �ve R’s is the easiest and leastexpensive because recycling and reduction programs are inplace at home, work, and school.

This guide o�ers resources and information on waste reduction and prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting. Whether it’s at home, work, or school, Athens-Clarke County residents are recycling paper, bottles, and cans, composting their yard waste and food scraps, and reusing materials instead of throwing them away.

You are already doing it, but you can still do more! Here are few simple things you can do to put reducing, reusing, recycling, rethinking, and composting into action:

Reduce your waste and your “ecological footprint.” The United States goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. Bring your own bag every time you shop!

Reuse products instead of throwing them away. Donate items to thrift or charity stores. Find “new” items on Craigslist.org and Freecycle.org or at neighborhood garage sales.

Recycle in every room in the house! Don’t forget to recycle your newspaper, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, and even your cereal and tissue boxes!

About 1/3 of all garbage produced by householdsis an organic material (like food scraps and yardmaterials). That’s around 25-30% each week! ACC residents can recycle food scraps in their own backyard using a compost bin.

With continued e�orts, we can all make a di�erence and reduce the waste that goes into our land�lls, conserve natural resources, reduce air and water pollution, protect our habitats, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The GRC and their web site Ecoville Georgia is the sourcefor statewide recycling and sustainability information.

www.georgiarecycles.org (404) 634-3095

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Here in Athens-Clarke County

Single vs.Dual Stream Recycling

The average person in the United States throws away about 4.5 pounds of trash every single day. According to the Georgia Department of Community A�airs about 40% of our trash in Georgia could and should be recycled (2008).

Recycling is important for the following reasons: • Conserves natural resources and natural spaces; • Conserves energy and water; • Employs people; • Supports the economy; • Provides a viable alternative to landfills.

Recycling has evolved over the years and can be done a number of ways. Recyclables can be collected as source separated material (customer must sort all materials by type at a drop-o� location or a hauler/collector does this at the curb), dual stream (customer must sort materials into a paper stream and bottle and can stream and place in two separate containers ), or single –stream (customer puts all paper and bottles and cans in one container).

Through advances in new sorting technologies – single-stream recycling has surged in popularity in Georgia. Single-stream recycling is easier for the customer and more e�cient and economical for the hauler.

Simply put – “Single-Stream recycling collection means that ALL recyclables can be collected mixed together in one container and collected with one truck (this does not mean trash is mixed with recyclables.)”

We currently use the dual stream method at the Solid Waste Department and Athens-Clarke County Recycling Facility but many of our private haulers have converted to single-stream collection that gets transferred to Gwinnett County for processing.

Athens-Clarke County is exploring single-stream recycling and will hopefully be converting it’s system in 2012.

Collectors using single stream are:

AAA Sanitation (certain days)(706) 543-7788Curbside Services (706) 769-1822Robertson (Republic) (706) 353-7300Waste Pro (706) 227-3222

ACC-Recycle.Org

Ink jet Recycling Over 13 printer cartridges are disposed of in American trash cans every second, an estimated 375 million each year. Cartridges

can be re�lled �ve to seven times before they need to be recycled; many companies now re-use almost 100% of their old cartridges to produce new ones, adding only new ink. This takes about 80% less energy, saves metal and plastics from ending up in our land�lls, and uses half the amount of oil needed to produce it new.

Cartridges can be recycled at:ACC Solid Waste O�ce, 725 Hancock Industrial Wayalso at:Best Buy, 3898 Atlanta HwyO�ce Depot, 3045 Atlanta HwyO�ce Max, 191 Alps RdRadio Shack, 196 Alps Road, 4375 Lexington Road or 3700 Atlanta Hwy at Georgia Square MallTarget, 3065 Atlanta Hwy

5Services and Information

Ink jet cartridges, cell phones, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, styrofoam and packing peanuts, paper shreds, and telephone books. All of these components make up the contents of a typical home o�ce. When their use has expired, often the question of what to do with these items is presented. All of the above items can be reused or recycled.

Recycling in the Home O�ce

Paper shred recycling:Shreds in clear or paper bags and can be recycled curbside with paper. Other sources that shred documents:

The Lindsay Group (800) 476-8902, 180 Trade St. Larger quantities and commercial services.FedEx O�ce (706) 353-8755, 2235 W. Broad St. Self-serve machine, under 1 lb. is freeor $2.00 per bag for larger quantities.O�ce Max (706) 353-8755, 191 Alps Rd. Prices areper pound. 1-4 lbs. is $.59, 5-11 lbs. is $.49, over 11 lbs. is $.39. O�ce Depot (706) 208-3666, 3045 Atlanta Hwy. $.99 per lb., 10 lbs. per week limit.ShredEX (706) 424-4335. Commercial services.

CD, DVD, and VHS tape recycling:GreenDisk (800) 305-DISKMail in program to Greendisk.com

Cell Phones:Drop o� old or broken cell phones at: ACC Solid Waste O�ce, Best Buy, EarthFare, Radio Shack, Target

Styrofoam:Often included with any shipped item.

Publix - meat tray and egg cartons(may accept block styrofoam if asked)UPS Stores - reuse packing peanuts(call �rst to see if they have a need)

Telephone books can be recycled too!

Just drop telephone booksin the paper recycling bins at

your o�ce, home, or at one of our drop-o� sites. Additionally,

the plastic wrap around the new telephone books can be

recycled with other plastic wraps and bags. Plastic wrap can be recycled at local grocery stores and

the ACC Recycling Facility.

Want a recycled content pencil for your home o�ce! Call us!

6 ACC-Recycle.Org

Adopt Athens

706.613.3501 ext. 312

Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful

This community appearanceprogram promotes publicinvolvement with caring for,maintenance & improvementof public areas aroundAthens-Clarke County.

Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful (KACCB) mission is to educate and empower citizens and businesses with the resources to take action as environmental stewards of litter prevention, waste reduc-tion, and beauti�cation.

Adopt-A-HighwayAdopt-A-StopAdopt-A-StreamAdopt-A-ParkAdopt-A-NeighborhoodGreenspaceAdopt-A-Trail/Greenway

www.KeepAthensBeautiful.org

The unique and beautiful course travels across a pasture, through the woods, and along a stream following the perimeter of the ACC land�ll.

Is your community group looking for equipment and tools to clean your adopted area? Borrow some from this community resource. Visit us online under programs for an inventory list or call the o�ce to reserve tools for pickup.

Bring one for the Chipper - Christmas tree-cycling program creates much needed mulch used for playgrounds, beauti�cation projects, �sh habitats, and shoreline erosion stabilization projects.

Junk Yard Jog

7Services and Information

KACCB in the Community

Athens annual volunteer river cleanup of the North Oconee River encourages the preservation of

Georgia’s water resources.

KACCB’s involvement with issues like water quality, recycling, litter, gra�ti prevention, and waste management make our community a healthier, and more beautiful place to live, work and play.

Sip, nibble and stroll through theState Botanical Garden of Georgiaduring this annual fall fund-raiser. KACCB hosts this one of a kindsilent auction and tasting eventfeaturing wine samplings and food tasting stations from Athens area restaurants and caterers.

Sip. Nibble. Stroll.

Seriously...y’all still litter? Seriously...y’all still litter?

keepathensbeautiful.orgkeepathensbeautiful.org

Time to change your ways.Time to change your ways.

13 Cardboard13 Cardboard

Meet the Litter Hotline mascot - Buck! Report littering incidents that occur from moving vehicles. Littering is against the law and is punishable up to $1,000 �ne. Please record the type of litter, the vehicle tag number, the date, time and location of the incident. Calls are anonymous.

Litter Hotline - (706) 613-3506

8 ACC-Recycle.Org

Book Recycling Athens Regional Library System accepts gifts of money, books, �lms, pamphlets, etc. Visit www.clarke.public.lib.ga.us or call (706) 613-3650 for information.

If books can't be reused, recycle them. Paperback books can be placed in paper recycle bins.

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Start collecting wrappers and join a brigade at www.terracycle.net. Each wrapper or container mailed in will donate money to the school or charity of your choice.

Download a pre-paid shipping label to ship collected items at www.terracycle.net.

Purchase Terracycle products made from recycled goods at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Home Depot, PetCo, and O�ceMax.

Terracycle makes a�ordable, eco-friendly products from a wide range of di�erent non-recyclable materials and is one of the fastest growing eco-friendly manufactures in the world!

Elmer's Glue Crew Recycling Program™ is a fun, hands-on way to teach about recycling.

™

1. Collect ‘em & Clean ’em - Collect all your Elmers bottles and sticks marked with a #1 or #2 recycling symbol. Clean the bottles and sticks with warm, soapy water.

2. Drop ‘em in & Drop ’em o� - Create a box for collecting or recycle one from a grocery store. Once full, close the box and print a mailing label at www.elmersgluecrew.com. 3. Win Prizes! - Register your totals online on the Elmers Glue Crew web site and submit your projects, lesson plans and photos for your chance to win!

Kids Rule!

These 100% RECYCLED CRAYONS are Hand Crafted, Multi-Color and Solid Color Crayons made from unwanted crayons collected by the National CRAYON RECYCLE PROGRAM from schools, restaurants and many caring organizations across the USA).

Hardcover books can be reused and recycled through Better World Books containers located on the UGA campus and at recycling drop o� sites at Athens Tech, ACC Recycling Facility, at Georgia Square Mall, George Gibson’s Menswear, and at the College Avenue/Cleveland Road recycling drop o� sites.

There are several options in Athens for book recycling and reuse. Reuse is always the best option and should be considered �rst as it conserves resources.

crazycrayons.com

9Services and Information

Electronic RecyclingWhat to do with outdated electronics

Many big box companies and manufacturersare now accepting electronics for recycling for free or are o�ering a consumer buyback program.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) introduced Consumer Buyback and Planet Partners Recycling Program. The service is free and accepts PCs, monitors, printers, digital cameras, personal digital assistants and smart phones. Visit HP.com and click on Product Recycling link under Resources.

Best Buy customers can drop off up to two devices per day at any store. Items accepted are televisions and monitors up to 32 inches, computers, notebooks, videocassette recorders, MP3 players, DVD players and phones. A $10 recycling fee will apply to any unit with screens. Customers will receive a $10 Best Buy gift card in exchange for the recycling fee. Appliances are not covered under the program. Visit BestBuy.com or 3898 Atlanta Hwy in Bogart, (706) 354-8311.

Sony o�ers a buy back options for products. Receive credit toward a new Sony camera or camcorder when trading in a current one online at Sony.tradeups.com.Sony has teamed up withWaste Management to support recycling theirproducts. Check online fordrop o� locations in Georgiaat Sonystyle.com.

FREE IT athens is a volunteer based group that accepts donations of working computers and accessories, repairs them, installs an operating system, and sells or [in most cases] gives them to individuals and community organizations that do not have access to information technology resources. Computers and equipment must be in working condition. Systems that cannot be repaired are recycled responsibly. Donations are accepted at 594 Oconee Street on Sun. 1-5 pm and Wed. 6-8 pm. freeitathens.org, freeitathens@gmail.com.

For information on recycling broken electronics, see page 22 in this guide.

Target customers can now easily recycle plastic bags, MP3 players, cell phones, ink cartridges, and beverage containers at recycling stations located at store checkout. Visit Target.com or 3065 Atlanta Hwy, (706) 208-9379.

School Resources and Services

Gr

eenSchool

RECYCLE CONSERVE BEAUTIFY

Teacher Reuse Store

This “store” provides a variety of itemsto local educators for FREE!

The items have been donated by localbusinesses, industries, and individuals.Donations for Teacher Reuse Store are

accepted year round by theACC Recycling Division.

Often what children learn at school is brought home. With teacher aides and information found in this directory and online, we can help ACC school children and residents become earth friendly and more aware of hazards to our environment.

Our goal is to foster relationships with Athens-Clarke County schools and provide them with the tools and knowledge base to teach our children about environmental education, land usage, pollution control, and how to care for our planet.

Green School Program

The Green School Program is a project of several ACC o�cesincluding the Recycling Division, Public Utilities (Water Conservation), Public Works (Stormwater) and Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful.

The program was designed to assist schools in environmental education and improvement focusing on: - conservation - preservation - environmental beauti�cation

Annually, the program recognizes participating schools that implement exceptional environmental education and improvement programs.

In 2005, Barrow Elementary and Whitehead Road Elementary became the �rst ACC Green Schools. Currently, there are over ten local green schools in Athens-Clarke County.

Program details and a complete listof current Green Schools can befound at accgreenschools.org

ACC Recycling Division o�ers an annual waste reduction challenge to local schools.Photo: Oglethorpe Avenue ElementarySchool, Bags for Bears winner.

The ACC Recycling Division provides group facility tours to coincide with classes, labs, or lesson plans. Students will walk through the facility and observe what is recycled and how the materials are sorted, baled, and prepared for sale.

Interested in learning about theGreen School program or having Binny at your next festival? Call ACC Recycling to reserve your date at (706) 613-3512 or at recycle@co.clarke.ga.us

10 ACC-Recycle.Org

You recycle all that you can – bottles, cans, and newspaper too. Paper products make up 40% of materials that households throw away. Don’t forget that all of your paper - catalogs, magazines, junk mail, phone books, cereal and pizza boxes, even your children’s “almost masterpieces” - are valuable resources that can be recycled. Recycling is one small step we can all take for the future of our planet.

Recycle All Your Paper.All the time.

StopJunk Mail

Reducing your junk mail is as easy as 1-2-3Call, write or go online to the companies listed to theleft and request your name be taken o� their list.

Contact catalogs and tell them you want your name taken o� their list, or remove your name from speci�c catalogs for free by visiting www.CatalogChoice.org.

When you buy from catalogs over the phone or online, make sure to let the company know that you do not want them to sell, share, or trade your name or send promotional materials.

Visit www.StopJunkMail.org for more information on reducing your junk mail, including pre written template letters and links to other companies.

Direct Mail: The Direct Marketing Association (DMA)is the largest provider of mailing lists. www.dmachoice.org

Credit Card O�ers:Remove your name from the lists:Equifax/Trans Union/Experian/Novus1-888-567-8688www.OptOutPrescreen.com

Sweepstakes:Publishers Clearinghouse1-800-645-9242

Catalogs:Remove your name from speci�c lists at www.CatalogChoice.org

Shopping Flyers:ValPak Coupons1-800-499-0473

Advo/Valassis1-888-241-6760www.valassis.com/1024/Contact/MailingListRemoval.aspx

Penny Saver1-800-422-4116www.pennysaverusa.com/contactus

Junk Faxes:Contact the sender of the fax and ask tobe removed or �le a complaint withthe Consumer Information Bureau:1-888-225-5322www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/unwatedfaxes.html

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Masterpiece by:Kinsey Reeves, Winterville Elem.

11 Services and Information

PUT THE MASTERPIECE ON THE FRIDGE.

RECYCLE THE REST.

It’s good to recycle your junk mail. It’s better to stop gettingit. Junk mail is a waste of time and resources. The average household receives junk mail equivalent to 1.5 trees every year. That adds up to more than 100 million trees each year. Here are a few smart steps to minimize unwanted mail and continue to receive the mail you really want!

Start a habit you’ll be proud to �aunt: bring reusable bags every time you go to the store.It’s the simple way to go greenin your daily life.

Why bringing your own bag makes a di�erence: • Each year the U.S. uses 30

billion plastic and 10 billion paper grocery bags, requiring 14 million barrels of oil.

• The pulp and paper industry is the second largest industrialuser of energy in the US.

• Only 1 percent of plastic bags are recycled annually.

• More than 46,000 pieces of plastic contaminate each square mile of our oceans.

Tips to remember your bags• Keep bags in your car, o�ce,

or backpack.• Hang bags on front doorknob. • Make it item #1 on the shopping

list. For more information, ideas and links visit www.reusablebags.com.

Start a Bag Habit

What’s in the Bin?

GlassBottles, jugs and jars only(pickle, jams, beverage, etc.)

MetalFood & beverage containers, lids, caps, aluminum trays and foils and empty aerosol cans

The following products are accepted at drop o� locations and in curbside bins.

Plastic ContainersBottles, jugs, beverage and food containers marked with ONLY (shampoo, laundry detergent, etc. )

Paper and CardboardNewspaper, magazines, catalogs, phone books, junk mail, envelopes, cards, o�ce paper, paper bags, soft cover books and paper shreds (placed in boxes or clear bags). Corrugated boxes and boxboard (cereal, shoe, pizza, snack, milk & juice cartons, etc.)

The following products are NOT accepted at drop o� locations or in curbside bins.

Plastic CupsDiapersClothingLight bulbs

Electronics or Cell PhonesGrass, Leaves or Yard WasteOil or Antifreeze ContainersPlastic Plates, Cutlery or StrawsWindows or Plate GlassDishes or PorcelainHousehold Hazardous WasteMedical Waste and Needles

Plastic or Foil Laminated PaperBubble Wrap or Plastic PackagingPaper Plates or CupsNapkins or Paper Towels

BatteriesStyrofoamLiquidsPlastic BagsFood Scraps Paint CansFacial TissueTrash

ACC-Recycle.Org12

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There are several locations on the UGA campus to recycle. Separate cans and bottles from paper items into the appropriate bin. For more information about recycling on campus or to get involved, contact www.gogreen.uga.edu.

Dawg Gone it Recycle

Where’s the Bin?

North1650 Danielsville RoadACC Fire Station #9

Northwest3955 Je�erson RoadACC Fire Station #8

EastCity of Winterville Public WorksCorner of Church and Parkview

Central1005 College AvenueCorner of College and Cleveland

ACC Material Recycling Facility699 Hancock Industrial Way

West3710 Atlanta HwyGeorgia Square Mall Cinema 5 lot

SoutheastJail Road at 3025 Lexington RoadBehind Tag O�ce lot

Five Points1059 Baxter StreetGeorge Gibson's Menswear lot

Northeast800 Hwy 29 NAthens Tech Job Quest lot

ACC Land�ll5700 Lexington Road

Services and Information

Note: These images represent bins at community drop o� locations. Most locations, unlessotherwise noted, are open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Each bin is clearly labeled with informational stickers to aid in the proper handling of recyclables. Trash or garbage is not accepted at these sites.

Bolton Hall - Baxter StreetJo Frank Harris Commons - River RoadOglethorpe Dining Hall - University CourtSnelling Hall - Sanford DriveTate Center - Lumpkin StreetStegman Coliseum - across on Carlton StreetGreek Park - River RoadLamar Dodd School of Art - River RoadFamily Housing - Roger’s Road and at College Station/Agriculture DriveRiverbend North - Riverbend ParkwayMiller Learning Center - East Baxter Street

14ACC-Recycle.Org

Food scrap recycling is easy and a simple way to conserve valuable resources. Food scraps and food-soiled paper make up more than one-third of the garbage households produce. Instead of sending your food scraps to the land�ll where they create methane, a potent greenhouse gas, turn your food scrapsinto compost! Compost is a valuable resource used by farmers, landscapers, and home gardeners to enrich the soil, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, and grow more food. Food scrap recycling creates a healthier environment for the future.

ALL FOOD PRODUCTS, fruit (seeds and cores too), vegetables, cereal, pasta, co�ee grounds and �lters,

tea bags, food soiled paper (towels plates,napkins) and pizza boxes. No plastics, glass, metal or liquids! Be sure to include: • plate scrapings and leftovers• pizza boxes and crust• paper towels and napkins• paper cups and plates

FOOD REUSE if possible, donateunopened and unspoiled foods. Food Bank of Northeast Georgia861 Newton Bridge Road706.354.8191 www.foodbanknega.org

Athens Area Homeless Shelter706.354.0423620 Barber Streetathensareahomelessshelter.org

Food Scrap Recycling

1) Layer and mix brown and green materials, keep the pile moist and aerated.

2) Turn or stir the pile one to three times each week.

3) Use your compost in 1-3 months, when it has turned into a rich, dark humus.

paper bag newspaper

Keep things tidy by collecting food scraps in a paper container such as a paper bag or newspaper and place all itemsright into the composter. Purchase your Earth Machine composter from KACCB for $45.00, 706-613-3501 x312.

RECIPE FOR FAST COMPOSTIngredients:2/3 brown materials1/3 green materials (fruit & veggies)Water (moist as a wrung-out sponge)Air (plenty of it for break down process)

101 Humus: pronounced (hy u mes) isde�ned as a brown or black substance resulting from the partial decay of plant matter; organic part of the soil.

:

15Services and Information

Household HazardousWaste (HHW)

Needles/Sharps Alert: State law allows the disposal of homegenerated medical needles/sharps in the trash. Place sharps into a closed container (such as a plastic detergent bottle), then place in the trash - not the recycling bin.

Recipes for a Clean & healthy

Household

Recipes for a Clean & healthy

Household

How to make non-toxic household cleaners that

are better for your family AND the environment.

Typically, about 1% of all waste generated in the average American household is hazardous. The average household generates about 30 pounds (about the weight of a medium-sized dog) of HHW per year, for an annual national total of about 1.6 million tons (EPA). Many common household products are considered hazardous waste because they contain chemicals that are poisonous, toxic, corrosive or �ammable. Hazardous household items include pesticides, drain cleaners, used motor oil, transmission �uid, paint, stains and fertilizers. These products can contaminate the soil, groundwater and/or air when poured on the ground, down the drain or dumped in the trash. Residential quantities of these materials are not banned from our local land�ll so the key is to prevent HHW generation in the �rst place. Ask the following questions before you purchase HHW:

• Do I really need to use this product? • Is there a safer alternative to this product?

What is household hazardous waste?Hazardous household items include pesticides, drain cleaners,used motor oil, transmission �uid, paint, stains, fertilizers, alkaline and rechargeable batteries, and �uorescent bulbs and tubes.

Would you like a recipe book for healthy home cleaners? Contact the ACC Recycling Division or look online at Earth911.com/household

If you must use a product that is considered hazardous, buy only what you need and follow the application instructions. If you have HHW left-over, try and �nd a neighbor and/or friend that might need the remainder of the product. Household hazardous waste (HHW) events have been held in Athens since 2002 (whenfunds are available) diverting over 177,526.25 pounds (88.7 tons) of HHW. Contact the ACC Recycling Division with questions or concerns about the proper handling and/or disposal of HHW.

All Athens area Home Depot and Lowe’s accept compact fluorescent bulbs for recycling.

16 ACC-Recycle.Org

Household batteries such as �ashlight, button, and alkaline batteries, called universal waste, are a threat to the environment if thrown in the land�ll.

Universal Waste contains harmful, corrosive chemicals and metals like mercury and lead. In general, it is against the law to dispose ofuniversal waste in the trash. This includes batteries, microwaves, thermostats, thermo- meters, and any other mercury-containing devices.

Universal waste recycling options in Athens

• ACC Solid Waste O�ce (batteries, �uorescent tubes, CFLs, thermostats, thermometers, cellphones, ink jet cartridges and mercury)

• ACC Land�ll (batteries and microwaves)

• Batteries Plus, Best Buy, and Radio Shack(rechargeable batteries only)

Universal WasteBatteriesand Bulbs

Rechargeable batteries are a popular and eco-friendly choice, but they also need to be disposed of in the proper way once theyno longer hold a charge.

The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp.lists drop-o� locations for rechargeable batteries. You can visit their web site at www.rbrc.com or call 1-800-8Battery.

You can also learn more about universal wasteand other household hazardous waste by visiting

+ acc-recycle.org/special-recyclables.htm

17Services and Information

Homeowner’s Guide to theDisposal ofUnwanted Medications

DO NOT share medicine with anyone.DO NOT �ush medicine down the toilet.DO NOT put medicine in the trash without disguising them - human or animal scavengers may �nd them and ingest them.

Keep in the original container to help identify the contents if they are accidentally ingested.

Mark out your name and prescription number.

For pills: add a small amount of water or soda to aid in dissolving them.

For liquids: add a small amount of inedible items like pet litter, dirt or saw dust.

Secure the lid with duct or packing tape.

Place the bottle(s) inside an opaque container like a detergent bottle or with unappealing trash like soiled diapers or used pet litter.

Hide the container in the trash.

DO NOT place in the recycling bin.

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Cleaning out the medicine cabinet is a good idea. Having old and expired medications increases the chance of taking the wrong one or an incorrect dosage. Plus, old medications lose their potency after time.

Q: Do I �ush old medications down the toilet?

NO!Flushing medications can cause contamination to Georgia’s aquatic environment because wastewater treatment systems are not designed to remove medications. Additionally, medications can kill helpful bacteria in septic systems.

Q: Do I place old medications in the trash?

YES! But follow these guidelines to protect children, wildlife, the environment and personal information.

18

Construction andDemolition

Cans for Cash?ACC-Recycle.Org

Aluminum can recycling provides many environmental and economic bene�ts to individuals, communities, organizations, companies and industries. With a high market value, aluminum continues to provide an economic incentive to recycle. When cans are recycled curbside, they help pay for a variety of additional waste reduction services provided by the ACC Recycling Division. Individuals or groups can recycle - and get paid for their e�orts - by any of the metal brokers listed.

Athens Auto Wrecking Recycling (Alewine’s)Highway 29 in Hull706-548-2211

Athens Recycling Corporation9740 Commerce Road706-548-9025

OmniSource Corporation590 Old Hull Road(corner of Old Hull and Athena)706-613-5201

Cooking Grease: Residential quantities of cooking grease are now accepted for recyclingat the ACC Solid Recycling Facility at NO CHARGE! Why is it recycled? Grease reduces sewage �ow and creates buildup in most household pipes when poured down the drain. Recycling is free, easy and is reused into items like make-up, animal food and bio-diesel.

Construction and Demolition (C&D) Material makes up 22% -25% of the waste stream in Georgia (Source: GA Department of Community A�airs, 2008). C & D material includes the following: concrete, wood (from buildings), asphalt (from roads and roo�ng shingles), gypsum (the main component in drywall), metals, bricks, plate glass, plastics and salvaged building components (doors, windows and plumb-ing �xtures). These items have a reuse and/or recycling value. Finding an outlet for recycling these items can be tricky but we have listed a few below. Don’t forget to list items on Craig’s List or other sale sites.

C&D Reuse and Recycling Resources:Related Recycling22 Chestnut Oak Run706-340-1619www.relatedrecycling.com

Habitat For Humanity ReStore532 Barber Street(706) 354-0936www.athenshabitat.com

Used Wood Materials Exchangewww.woodexchange.com

Build.Recycle.NetUsed Building Materials Exchangebuild.recycle.net/exchange/index.html

Southern Waste eXchange, Inc.PO Box 960, Tallahassee, FL 32302800-441-7949, 850-386-4321 (fax)www.wastexchange.org

19Services and Information

Plastic #1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)Common uses: 2-liter soda bottles, water bottles, cooking oil bottles, peanut butter jars. Most residential recycling programs accept narrow- neck PET containers.

Plastic #2: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)Common uses: detergent bottles, milk and water jugs, grocery bags. Most residential recycling programs accept narrow-neck HDPE containers. #2 bags can be recycled at large grocery stores.

Plastic #3: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or V) Common uses: plastic pipes, outdoor furniture, shrink-wrap, water bottles, liquid detergent containers. #3 PVC plastic is not readily recyclable.*

Plastic #4: Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Common uses: food storage containers, dry cleaning bags, produce bags, trash can liners. Many residential recycling programs accept narrow-neck LDPE containers. #4 bags can

can be recycled at large grocery stores.

Plastic #5: Polypropylene (PP) Common uses: ketchup bottles, aerosol caps, drinking straws, yogurt containers. #5 PP plastic is not readily recyclable. To mail #5 for recycling visit www.recycline.com/gimme5. *

Plastic #6: Polystyrene (PS) Common uses: packaging pellets or Styrofoam peanuts, cups, plastic tableware, meat trays, to-go clamshell containers, egg cartons, shipping blocks. Many shipping/packaging stores will accept

polystyrene peanuts and other packaging materials for reuse. Publix stores accepts cups, meat trays, egg cartonsand other containers for recycling. *

Plastic #7: Other Common uses: 3- and 5-gallon reusable water bottles, Tupperware, biodegradable and compost-able plastics. This plastic category, as its name of “other” implies, is any plastic other than the

named #1– #6 plastic types. These containers can be several di�erent types of plastic polymers. Biodegradable and compostable plastics are also labeled #7. Most recycling centers do not take plastic #7. *

* Look for alternatives whenever possible.

The Plastic Bag ProblemThe EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) states that every year between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. Most grocery chains have bag recycling bins in front of or inside the store. Locally, bags can be recycled at Publix, Kroger, Piggly Wiggly, Ingles, EarthFare, or the ACC Recycling Facility.

TYPES OF PLASTICS Sometimes plastic is the best or only choice for a product. Look for plastics

that can be recycled in your residential recycling program and reuse if possible.

Is plastic still confusing you?

Plastics are typically classi�ed by one of seven numbers used to identify the type of resin used to manufacture the item. Just because it has the recycling symbol does not mean it can be put in your recycling bin for pickup.

• Athens-Clarke County accepts # 1 (PETE) and # 2 (HDPE) in your curbside bin and at drop o� locations around town.

Plastic Demysti�ed

• Hard (#1 & #2) plastics can be dropped o� at the ACC Recycling Facility such as �ower pots, lawn furniture, broken toys and nursery trays.

20 ACC-Recycle.Org

ACC haulers o�er a collection program to our residential customers that decreases the cost of monthly service based on the amount of garbage collected. This variable rate service provides economic incentive to recycle more and generate less waste.

Residential Services

AAA Sanitation (706) 543-7788Curbside Services, Inc. (706) 769-1822F-4 Sanitation, Inc. (706) 769-8211Johnson & Son (706) 546-0673Personal Touch (706) 549-2434Robertson (Republic) (706) 353-7300Waste Pro (706) 227-3222

Garbage & Recycling Private Haulers

PLEASE NOTE: This hauler list may not be complete. Please contact (706) 613-3501 ext. 0 for an up-to-date list, or visit our web site at www.acc-recycle.org/haulers.htm

Bag estimates based on 13 gallon kitchen bag. Challenge yourself to produce less trash each week!

REMINDERALL haulers approved to provide garbage and recycling services in ACC are required to offer their customers with a Pay-As-You-Throw garbage program (the less garbage you throw away, the less your garbage service will cost). Private haulers are also required to provide you with the opportunity for curbside recycling collection at least every other week. (ACC Solid Waste Ordinance, Section 5-2-29)

Pay As You Throw

64-Gallon rollcart(avg for family of 5-8)

32-Gallon rollcart (avg for family of 2-4)

96-Gallon rollcart(avg for non-recycling family of 10+)

21Services and Information

It’s not by accident that reuse is part of the waste managementhierarchy of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, or that ones trash is anothers treasure! Reuse is de�ned as using a material over again in its current form without any signi�cant processing that alters its material structure.

Reuse Guide Athens Reuse Resources

www.acc-recycle.org/special_recyclables

Both recycling and reuse direct items away from the land�ll and back into our lives so we can use the material again. However, the collection, processing, and remanufacture of recycled materials requires energy and water, and generates some waste, air, and water pollution. Reuse doesn’t. This is particularly true of televisions, computers, air conditioners, and refrigerators, which contain hazardous materials that require special handling and disposal. Some products like furniture, clothing, and dishes are not recyclable, but they can be saved from the land�ll through reuse.

Charitable organizations that operate reuse businesses provide a low cost option for people to buy the things they need and use pro�ts to support social programs.

Episcopal Thrift House450 Prince Avenue(706) 543-7047

Goodwill Industries of GA10 Huntington Road(706) 433-1900

Habitat Re-Store532 Barber Street(706) 354-0936

Play It Again Sports3816 Atlanta Highway(706) 369-3477

Potter’s House434 Prince Avenue(706) 546-5596

Project Safe Thrift Store995 Hawthorne Avenue(706) 549-09221055 Gaines School Road(706) 552-2345

Salvation Army484 Hawthorne Avenue(706) 543-5350

St. Mary’s Upscale Thrift2165 W. Broad Street(706) 389-2772

USAgain Textile collection bins

USAgain collects used clothes and shoes and resells them worldwide. There are several locations across Athens.www.usagain.com(678) 469- 3818

To donate eyeglasses for reuse, contact Lions Club member Bill Segars at (706) 549-4162

22 ACC-Recycle.Org

Land�ll Servicesand E-cycling

It is highly discouraged to put electronics, suchas VCRs and microwaves into the garbage can. If thrown into the trash and land�ll, they canpotentially leak toxic substances; contaminate the land and water; pollute the air, and cause harm. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled. Working TVs, monitors, computers and other consumer electronics canbe sold or donated, thereby prolonging their life.

Athens-Clarke County residents can conveniently recycle old or broken electronics for FREE at the ACC Land�ll. Ask the scale attendant where itemsare to be dropped. They DO NOT go into theland�ll. Televisions are not accepted.

ACC Municipal Solid Waste Land�ll5700 Lexington Road

(706) 613-3508www.acc-recycle.org/land�ll.htm

Mon. - Fri. 7:30 am to 4:30 pmSat. 7:30 am - 3:00 pm

Sun. CLOSED

Fees

Garbage:Commercial: $42.00 per tonResidential: $1.50 per bag >6 bags<6 bags $42.00 per ton, $5.00 min.

Leaf and Limb:Commercial: $18.00 per tonResidential: $18.00 per ton

$5.00 minimum

Scrap Metal Recycling: Refrigerators, bicycles, small appliances, etc. can be recycled at the land�ll FREE of charge. Proceeds from the sale of these items support local 4-H chapters.

Tires (no rims):Passenger or truck: $3.00 per tireCommercial truck: $10.00 per tire

Car Batteries: $1.00 per battery

Propane Tank: $1.00 per tank

(electronic recycling)

Advanced Auto Part, 4280 Lexington Road and322 North Ave.AutoZone Auto Parts, All Athens LocationsCARCRAFT, 350 Hawthorne Ave. and 1401 Greensboro Hwy.NAPA Auto Parts, 4125 B Atlanta Hwy. and 1340 Greensboro Hwy.O’Reilly Auto Parts, 2950 Lexington Rd. Pep Boys, 3702 Atlanta Hwy.Sears Auto Center, 4365 Atlanta Hwy.Wal-Mart Super Center, 1911 Epps Bridge Rd. and4375 Lexington Rd.

Recycling Information and Fees:

Motor oil and car battery recyclers

Broken Electronics

23Services and Information

Leaf and Limb Program

The ACC Solid Waste Department provides Leaf & Limb pick up for all Athens-Clarke County residents.

For more informationplease call the Solid Waste

Department or visit ourwebsite at www.acc-recycle.org

WHY TAKE PART?

WHAT IS NOT PICKED UP?

SPECIAL PICK UPS

WHAT IS PICKED UP?

WHEN IS PICK UP?

FACTS ABOUT LEAF & LIMB

• Grass• Leaves• Prunings• Pinestraw• Limbs & small branches-

• Weeds• Brush• Twigs

• Rocks• Food• Logs • Tools

• Bagged dirt/soil• Stumps• Flower pots• Garbage

Pick up is scheduled once every 8 weeks; 6 times per year. For your pick up week:

Call (706) 613-3501 x451 to hear a recording of the current schedule. A monthly printed schedule is available at: • ACC Water Business Offices Prince Avenue and Gaines School Road • ACC City Hall • ACC Main LibraryVisit our web site www.acc-recycle.org and go to the Leaf & Limb section where you can �nd and print out a copy of the current schedule.Watch ACTV on cable Channel 7.

If you would like to arrange for a special pick up of leaf & limb materials, please call (706) 613-3501. Fees begin at $75 plus $18 per ton for disposal. You may also arrange for additional pick ups by a private service provider. Check your local yellow pages for haulers.

• It is easy.It is a service you are entitledto receive.It saves you from paying a private hauler to pick up these materials.

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Place leaves and limbs out by 8 a.m. on the Monday of your pick up week (see “when is pickup” on this form).Put leaves, grass, weeds, etc. in paper lawn bags and place at the curb no more than 15 feet from the curb.Stack limbs, brush and small branches in a pile at the curb.Place Leaf & Limb outside NO MORE than

Collection limits: You may put out one load per pick up. A “load” is:25 standard paper lawn refuse bags; orOne 3/4 ton pickup truck load of bagged leaves and/or limbs; orA pile 6 feet long x 4.5 feet deep.

ten (10) days before your scheduled pickup.

(no more than 4 inches in diameter and 6 feet in length).

WHAT TO DO?

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Leaf and limb material collected by ACC Solid Waste is taken to the ACC Land�ll mulching and compost site.

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For missed garbage and recycling pickups, please call the Solid Waste Department at (706) 613-3501 Ext. 0.

For recycling bins, please call the Solid Waste Customer Service Representative at (706) 613-3501 Ext. 315.

For more information, to �nd a sta� e-mail address, orgeneral information, visit us at www.ACC-Recycle.org.

AdministrationMain Number (706) 613-3501 Fax Number (706) 613-3504Director (706) 613-3501 Ext. 305Administrative Assistant (706) 613-3501 Ext. 0Billing Coordinator (706) 613-3501 Ext. 302Billing Technician (706) 613-3501 Ext. 307Customer Service Rep. (706) 613-3501 Ext. 315Leaf and Limb schedule (706) 613-3501 Ext. 451Holiday schedule (706) 613-3501 Ext. 450

CollectionsSuperintendent (706) 613-3501 Ext. 303 Crewleader (706) 613-3501 Ext. 304Crewleader (706) 613-3501 Ext. 308

Recycling DivisionMain Number (706) 613-3512Waste Reduction Administrator (706) 613-3512 Ext. 317 Program Education Specialist (706) 613-3512 Ext. 316Household Hazardous Waste Specialist (706) 613-3501 Ext. 306

Keep Athens-Clarke County BeautifulExecutive Director (706) 613-3501 Ext. 312Program Assistant (706) 613-3501 Ext. 309 Litter Hotline (706) 613-3506

Call now!

Event recycling is mandatory at events on public property. Event recycling containers are available for FREE on an as-needed basis! Need some bins for a private event? Just call the ACC Recycling Division at (706) 613-3512 or email at recycle@co.clarke.ga.us to reserve bins and learn techniques to recycle better at your next event.

Take your event to the next level by making it waste free! Through careful planning, you can eliminate trash at your next function. Here are some tips:

Buy only what you need to avoid leftovers. Recycle cans, bottles, and paper bags. Use �latware instead of plastic utensils. Cover foods with aluminum foil. Reuse plastic baggies. Use re�illable drink containers. Offer reusable plates and serveware. Use cloth napkins instead of paper. Compost food scraps and cut �lowers.

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

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Printed on Recycled Content

Athens-Clarke CountySolid W

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P. O. Box 1868

Athens, GA 30603-1868

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