The impact of recycling in our community can be measured in many ways.
Economically, it creates jobs. According to the National Recycling Coalition, recyclingcreates four jobs to one job in waste disposal. On average, for every one job collecting recyclables, there are 26 jobs in material handling and remanufacturing.
It can be measured environmentally, especially for our future generations. If we don’t recycle now, we are leaving future generations with a very expensive problem– no landfill space. It costs each Daviess County citizen each time we have to expand our landfill. Higher tipping fees and price per ton of waste means higher and higher collection fees. The less we put in the landfill, the less cost to all taxpayers.
Socially, the more people see recycling bins, curbside or in businesses, the more aware of the situation they become. As people become aware, they educate themselves and others. A public that understands personal responsibility is priceless!
Curbside recycling has been a hot topic of debate in Owensboro off and on for quite some time. The city even had a trial program in the mid-90’s, but the participation was so low, the ycould not justify the program. The lack of education about recycling was obviously to blame. Year after year the tonnage collected at the city-maintained drop-off site rises, as more and more people are becoming aware of the environmental and future impact of recycling.
Greener Owensboro Recycling (GO Recycling) was created in response to the needs of the citizens and businesses in Owensboro. While drop-off recycling remains the primary method of recycling in the city, GO Recycling offers a more convenient curbside and business pick-up recycling service.
After reading so many letters to the editor in the Messenger-Inquirer about the need and benefits of curbside recycling, John Fentress decided that if local government wasn’t going to take action he would.
“Too much time had already been wasted and too many recyclables were lost forever in local landfills,” Fentress said.
Fentress believes in his work.
“If spreading the good word of social, civic and personal responsibility meant getting dirty and giving up my weekends, I was ready to make that sacrifice,” Fentress said. “The long-term benefits, by far, out weighed that short-term sacrifice.”
It took just seven months after the launch of GO Recycling before city government took notice of the popularity. Mayor Payne called for the city management team to study the program, and decide if they wanted to get involved somehow. With spending downtown, and the popularity of GO Recycling’s program, Mayor Payne decided it was better to let GO Recycling continue operation without government involvement.
GO Recycling currently services over 500 homes, 20 businesses, 4 churches, 3 schools, Friday After 5, multiple city events and festivals and several non-profit agencies. Services are available for as low as $8 per month for weekly pick-up. GO Recycling services all of Owensboro, the entire fringe area and several areas in the county. Collection totes are provided and GO Recycling does all the sorting for you! For county customers, a reduced-rate trash pick up is also available. Monthly fees for trash start at $10 per month for recycling customers.
They also provide an on-call pick up for people who are not customers. Anything can be picked up for removal or recycling– old appliances, cars, lawn equipment. Cleaning out your garage or basement? Call GO Recycling! GO Recycling also offers confidential document destruction and recycling for home and business!