Hey Athens, Recycle! New Rules for Recycling in Athens-Clarke County

Monday, October 24 is quickly approaching. 

Do you know what’s going down on the 24th? It is two months before Christmas Eve…yes…but did you know there are some exciting changes taking place on October 24th in Athens?!

 Starting October 24th, Athens-Clarke County will begin accepting MORE items for its recycling program. That means the number of items on the "CAN recycle" list are now more than the "CAN’T recycle" list – which means the planet will be a lot happier and healthier – and it starts with you!

Help the Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division reach its bold goal of “reducing landfill disposal of solid waste” 40% by 2015, 60% by 2018, and 75% by 2020. All you have to do is stay up-to-date on the county's recycling guidelines and do your part to keep the right things going in the right bins.

Source: Flickr

 Recycling 101

-Check the package for the little recycling symbol (a triangle) that is typically located on the bottom of the package

-The recycling symbol will include a number inside – this is how you decide if that particular container/package can be recycled

-Make sure everything you recycle is empty and cleaned out

-Never use recycling bins as trash cans – only place recyclables in the bins

-Flatten all cardboard and food boxes

-Throw recyclables in the bins as separate items - there is no need to bag them up!

Source: Flickr 

Throw these items in the recycling bin:

-Plastic food trays and cups (except #6)

-Plastic bottles and jugs (except #6)

-Wide-mouth plastic containers #1-#7

-Rigid plastics

-Empty aerosol cans (remove the lids)

-Milk and juice cartons

-Juice boxes

-Aluminum cans, foil, and trays

-Glass bottles and jars (remove the lids)

-Cereal and food boxes (flattened)

-Cardboard and pizza boxes (flattened)

-Magazines and catalogs

-Phone books

-Paperback books

-Metal food cans

-Junk mail, mixed paper

-Paper bags

-Newspaper

Throw these in the trashcan:

-Plastic bags

-Shredded paper

-Pots and pans

-Glassware (drinking glasses)

-Paper plates and cups

-Napkins and paper towels

-Plastic cutlery

-Food

-Clamshells and Styrofoam

-Batteries or light bulbs

-Wire hangers

-Ceramics

No curbside recycling pick-up? No problem! Visit one of Athens' 11 self-service recycling drop off locations!

1. Central: At College & Cleveland - 1005 College Avenue
2. North: Power Partners Inc. - 200 Newton Bridge Road
3. North: ACC Fire Station #9 - 1650 Danielsville Road
4. Northwest: ACC Fire Station #8 - 3955 Jefferson Road
5. Northeast: Athens Technical College - Hwy 29, Job Quest Lot
6. West: Georgia Square Mall Cinema Lot - 3755 Atlanta Highway
7. East: City of Winterville - Corner of Church & Parkview
8. Southeast: ACC Tag Office Lot - Jail Road & Lexington Road
9. Five Points: George Gibson's Menswear Lot - 1059 Baxter Street
10. ACC Landfill: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:30pm, Saturday 7:30am-3:30pm - 5700 Lexington Road
11. ACC Recycling Facility: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (699 Hancock Industrial Way)

If you live on or near campus, UGA also provides 10 accessible recycling locations! Check out http://gogreen.uga.edu/recycle/#where for more information.

-Bolton Dining Commons

-Oglethorpe Dining Commons

-Snelling Dining Commons
-Carlton Street Lot
-East Village Dining Commons
-East Campus Parking Lot Deck
-University Village (Building C Lot)
-Recreational Sports Complex (Lake Herrick Pavilion Lot)
-Rogers Road (Building P)
-Riverbend Research Lot

For more information on the Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division:

-Call (706) 613-3512

-Check out www.athensclarkecounty.com/recycling (You can also sign up for an (eco-friendly!) e-newsletter on this site to keep yourself updated and in the know!)

-"Like" their Facebook page!