There were many reasons for the City of Athens to make the switch to the new curbside recycling system. We respect those reasons and the decisions that were made.
Those changes will, however, affect your local non-profit recycling center. What goes into the blue recycling carts will now be taken to the Decatur City Recycling Center. These are materials that previously had come to our recycling center and will mean a loss of revenue locally.
The materials that bring in revenue will allow us to accept the items that do not produce much revenue such as glass, electronics, #3 through #7 plastics, batteries, and more. Because we are a non-profit facility, we are more interested in keeping as much as possible out of the landfill rather than concentrating on making large profits. Most of the profits we do make go back into the business in salaries, equipment, and overhead.
How can the community help?
If you plan to bring us your #3-#7 plastics (which you can no longer recycle at curbside), please bring us ALL of your plastic bottles. #1 and #2 plastics are what we sell to cover the cost of taking the #3-#7 plastics for which we are not paid.
Continue to bring us your cardboard. This is our largest revenue stream and helps cover the cost of taking items that do not bring in revenue such as glass, #3-#7 plastic containers, batteries, electronics, and more.
Get to know your local recycling center better. Visit KALBCares.com for a list of all items accepted by our Athens-Limestone Recycling Center on Lucas Ferry Rd. We think you’ll be surprised at the list. You won’t find another recycling center in North Alabama that will accept the number of items for recycling that we do!
We are pleased that so many residents in Athens and Limestone County are interested in recycling. However you choose to recycle, we’re glad you are making the effort to protect the environment. If you are able, we ask that you support your local non-profit recycling center as often as possible.
We are here to serve this community, and it is our pleasure to do so. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.
By: Lynne Hart
