Reeds Spring, MO – April 9, 2013 – The EarthWise Recycling Center, a community-supported non-profit organization located on the Reeds Spring High School campus, will celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 20 by expanding their standard recycling services to include electronic waste and rechargeable battery disposal, as well as glass recycling.
EarthWise—which was started last fall by the Ozark Mountain Legacy Catalyst team in Stone County—is a single-stream recycling facility, which means that all common recyclables—mixed paper, magazines and phone books, steel/tin/aluminum cans, and plastics #1-7—can be co-mingled in one container. Conveniently, recyclers do not have to sort these items prior to donation. Donated cardboard and paperboard (like cereal boxes) are baled separately and sold to help fund the operation. EarthWise is open every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until noon.
“Over the past six months, EarthWise has diverted over two tons of recyclable material from our landfill – and that is only being open on Saturday mornings,” said Sue Noel, Legacy Catalyst Team member. “The community has definitely shown its enthusiasm for recycling! We are growing fast and are thrilled that we are able to expand our collection services starting on Earth Day.”
Starting April 20, EarthWise will begin accepting the following recyclable items: electronic waste such as TVs, cell phones, iPods, tape players, radios, computers, copy machines, digital cameras, etc.; media items such as DVDs, CDs, VHS, and cassette tapes; rechargeable batteries (lead-acid batteries not accepted); glass used as food or beverage containers (please rinse). These items must be sorted separately, as they are not accepted in single-stream recycling. Donations are appreciated for handling and recycling rechargeable batteries and electronic waste.
In celebration of Earth Day, all Stone County residents are invited to visit EarthWise on April 20 from 8:00 a.m. until noon and are encouraged to bring their recyclable items. EarthWise volunteers will be on hand to give tours of the facility, and local businesses and student groups will have booths set up for visitors to enjoy.
“Earth Day is a great reminder of the importance of taking care of our planet, and recycling is a simple way that each person can make a difference in our community,” said Korina Branson, Legacy Catalyst Team member. “We hope that this Earth Day, Stone County businesses, schools, city / county offices, not-for-profit organizations, and residents will bring their unwanted electronic or media waste, and other recyclables, to EarthWise Recycling Center. It’s a win-win for the community.”
EarthWise would like to thank their generous sponsors: Brokate Janitorial, GreenStick, Greenway Recycling, Republic Services, Reeds Spring High School, and Silver Dollar City. Please contact Sue Noel at 338-8108 for sponsorship opportunities or exhibitor space at the Earth Day celebration on April 20, or for more information on how to get involved with EarthWise Recycling Center.
