May 6, 2013. Watauga County ranks third in the state for common household recyclables, which includes things like cardboard, paper, plastic bottles and cans, out of 100 total counties according to a recent report released by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Watauga County ranked eighth for total public recycling, which includes more items like construction material and scrap metal.
“I would like to commend Watauga County residents and businesses for their outstanding participation in the County’s recycling program,” said Recycling Manager Lisa Doty. “Recycling is a true economic and environmental solution, both locally and globally, as it is one of the few environmental actions that every single Watauga County resident can participate in and know it really does make a difference.”
North Carolina has for the second straight year set a record for the lowest solid waste disposal rate since measurement of tonnage deposited in the landfill began in 1991, according to data released by DENR. The record-breaking disposal rates are helped by local government recycling programs, which are making progress in removing valuable materials from the waste stream and returning them to the economy.
“We are pleased to see the progress that municipal and county recycling programs are making,” said John Skvarla, Secretary of NC DENR. “Recyclable commodities are increasingly important feedstocks for North Carolina manufacturers, and community collection services are a vital part of the material supply chain.”
DENR tracks data statewide about recycling and disposal rates, and then publicizes its findings along with two different rankings of community recycling programs each spring. The Watauga County recycling rate was 243.3 pounds per person for the per capita recovery of common household recycling and 260.5 pounds per person for the per capita recovery of total public recycling. The sale of recycling materials also brought almost $500,000 of revenue to the County in 2011-2012.
There are ten convenience centers located in Watauga County where residents can recycle glass, metal, plastic, cardboard, paper, pasteboard, batteries and compact fluorescent lights. Rigid plastics, fluorescent tube bulbs, electronics, tires, white goods, oil, oil filters, lead-acid batteries and scrap metal are accepted for recycling at the main Recycling Center on Landfill Road. The County also is providing more opportunities to recycle away from home at schools, parks and recreation locations and encourages residents to use these bins for cans and plastic bottles whenever possible.
For more information on recycling, locations and hours of operation for convenience centers in Watauga County, go towww.wataugacounty.org, email lisa.doty@watgov.org or call 828-265-4852 or 828-264-5305.
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