County recycling marks 15 years
By Donna Comella  

Now in its 15th year, the Western Finger Lakes Solid Waste Management Authority continues to pile up Wayne County's recyclable materials.

Resident participation in 2004 had over 6000 tons processed and shipped from the Materials Recovery Facility (merf) at the site of the former Arcadia Landfill. Curbside collections delivered to the Merf amount to 35 to 40 tons each weekday. Even with that amount of participation, there are several new things residents may want to add to their list of recyclables. For instance, you can bag your shredded bills and personal papers and place the shredded paper out with your Blue Box.

You can also include your old paperbacks. If you have a hardcover book, just remove the covers and add it to your collection of newspapers and cereal boxes. Libraries and schools are encouraged to truck their unwanted text books and such to the Merf. The Authority will gladly accept them, but it's unable at this time to pick them up.

Also new this year is curbside collection for businesses. According to Authority Public Relations Coordinator Marjorie Torelli, about 20 area businesses are now participating, including a couple of restaurants. Torelli says that some businesses can't yet be accommodated because they have such large quantities of cardboard. The Authority is currently in the market for a truck that can handle such collections. (If your business would like to participate, contact the Authority at 1.800.724.3867.)

There will also be some new items added to this year's Hazardous Waste Collection. This year, the collection will be held on Saturday, October 7. Torelli says that the annual event usually sees about 200 cars coming through and that last year, the Authority collected 6,000 pounds of electronics, including a large screen television. The Authority accepts your old computer components, stereos, radios, televisions, microwaves, etc.

There were also 68 (55-gallon) drums of hazardous materials collected. Those materials include such things as garden chemicals, harsh household cleansers, oil-based paints and such. Add to the list this year anything containing mercury - everything from your old thermometer to your child's sneakers with flashing lights. Torelli says many toys have the same tiny flashing lights, and can be included in the collection. (There are often mercury tilt switches inside.) To participate in October's Hazardous Waste Collection, you must contact the Authority at 1.800.724.3867.

If you have a list of recyclable materials, check it over and see if you've missed anything. For instance, now that it's picnic season, wash out that foil baking pan that someone brought baked beans in and recycle it. If the neighborhood kids are over and they all have drink boxes, have them rinse them out and Blue Box them. Don't forget your milk cartons and your old catalogs; your aluminum pie pans and your old license plates (deface them or cut them first).

If you have questions about recycling, or you need an extra Blue Box, contact the Authority. (Please remember that Labor Day is right around the corner and curbside collection will be delayed that week.)

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