|
We deserve a pat on the back for our
high score in the recycling contest.
Ninety-five percent of the
6,700 households in Wake Forest recycle
their newspapers, junk mail, regular
paper, plastic, cardboard, glass and
cans.
“We’re the highest community
in Wake County as far as percentage of
participation,” Mayor Vivian Jones said
last week.
She and Public Works
Director Mike Barton attribute the high
percentage to the roll-out recycling
carts, which were introduced in August
of 2005 when Republic Waste Services
took over garbage and recycling
collection.
Before then only about 32 or
35 percent of households recycled
because they had to tote the 18-gallon
bins to the curb. “They were too small
and too heavy,” Barton said. “If you
fill them up with newspaper, that’s too
heavy for some folks. It’s a lot easier
to recycle now.”
Not only do the town
residents recycle enthusiastically, they
can do so with a longer list of items
than in many area towns and cities.
“Basically, if you can eat or drink out
of it, it’s recyclable,” Barton said,
and the town includes cardboard on its
list of recyclables, which is unusual.
Barton did urge people to
remember to leave at least 4 feet of
space between the larger garbage cart
and the recycling cart to allow room for
the truck operator to use the grabber
arm that dumps the contents of the
carts. |
