Lyon County recycling educator
If memory serves me right...I know what you're thinking, "That must be a different experience for her."there have been a number of times that the New Year column consisted of some recycling basics, basic household hazardous waste disposal info and a little bit about proper disposal of problem materials such as major appliances, tires and electronics. So guess what that's what we're doing today. For all of you "seasoned" waste busters/pollution preventers this will be "old hat" to you so you'll probably quit reading at this point. But, for those of us who still need a little refresher on the aforementioned subjects this will hopefully be helpful.
Recycling: *Recyclables should be empty/clean. *Remove and discard caps, covers and lids from plastic containers and glass bottles and jars. *Break down and flatten cardboard boxes. *No need to remove labels from tin cans, plastic containers or glass bottles and jars. *Flattening metal cans and plastic jugs is optional but it saves space at home and on the recycling trucks. *Call for a list of acceptable/unacceptable items or visit www.lyonco.org and click on reduce, reuse, recycle and then on Environmental in the left-hand menu. *Do Not include greasy/dirty cardboard or paper with your recyclables. *Styrofoam is NOT acceptable in the recycling program. *Recyclables don't have to be separated by category. They can be mixed together in your recycling cart/in the containers at the recycling sheds. *Please do NOT bring trash to the recycling drop-off locations. *To inquire about the availability of recycling carts for curbside (residential) recycling pick-up call our office at 532-8210. *Please keep three feet between the recycling cart and the mailbox/any other objects to allow the mechanical 'hands' to pick up the cart efficiently.
Household Hazardous Waste: *The Household Hazardous Waste Facility is located in the Public Works Building at the Lyon County Fairgrounds in Marshall. Operating hours: Monday Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (Businesses - call 532-8210 for disposal info.) Examples of accepted wastes: paints; stains; solvents; acids; paint stripper; drain/toilet/oven cleaners; bug/weed/rodents killers; rechargeable batteries/button batteries; mercurial devices such as thermostats, thermometers, mercury switches. List is not all-inclusive so call for more info.
Problem Materials: *Major appliances, e.g. refrigerators/freezers, microwaves, washers, dryers, etc. and tires the Lyon County Landfill is the collection point for these items. They are NOT disposed of in the landfill but are set aside to be picked up by recycling processors. Call the landfill at 507-865-4615 for details/fees. *Motor oil/oil filters cannot be disposed of in the trash. Call a local service station if you have oil/filters to dispose of. *Retailers that sell vehicle batteries must accept old batteries (up to five) from consumers at no charge. Remember, you don't have to purchase a new battery in order to bring in an old one/s. *Electronics the landfill is the collection point for electronics. They are NOT disposed of in the landfill but are set aside for pickup by an electronics recycling processor. Call our office or the landfill for more details.
Until next time, remember to reduce, reuse, recycle and buy recycled! For more details or if your club is interested in a presentation (free) regarding recycling/waste reduction and hazardous waste disposal, call the Lyon County Environmental Office at 507-532-8210. A Happy and Blessed New Year to all!