Mary Clendenin, Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority (SWA) office manger, wants everybody to remember the importance of recycling to the environment and important changes to recycling procedures in the county.

Recycling collection containers are now available at all county green box sites. Recyclables are accepted from all county residents, including town residents and other non-SWA customers.

Green box sites are located in Marlinton at the old fairgrounds; in Huntersville on Huntersville Road; in Green Bank next to the Department of Highways Garage; in Hillsboro on Ceasar's Mountain and in Bartow next to Kisner's Flea Market.

Special instructions for various recyclables have been updated:

Plastics: Only number one and number two plastics are accepted for recycling. Water and soda bottles are number one plastic. Milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles are number 2 plastic. The type of plastic can be found on the bottom of the container, inside the triangular arrow symbol. Do not put garbage bags in the collection container.

Cardboard: Break down boxes and remove packing material. Chinese and Asian cardboard are not accepted.

Bi-metal cans: Rinse out cans. Labels can be left on the can. Do not put garbage bags in the collection container.

Newspapers and magazines: Separate newspapers and magazines and bring in cardboard boxes or plastic/paper bags.

Office paper: Remove staples, binding materials and folders. Bring in cardboard boxes or plastic/paper bags.

Pocahontas Recycling, on Brush Country Road in Marlinton, will accept all of the items listed above, plus aluminum, batteries and radiators. Their phone number is 304-799-4083.

Wal-Mart in Lewisburg accepts plastic bags for recycling, at no charge.

The county landfill accepts old appliances, TVs and computers for recycling, free of charge. Tires can be recycled at a cost of $100 per ton. It only costs a few dollars to dispose of a set of four tires.

Ideas for reducing waste:
1) Donate unwanted items to charity.
2) Purchase items with less packaging.
3) Reduce junk mail - remove your name from mailing lists.
4) Utilize things that can be reused many times, like cloth grocery bags, instead of plastic ones.
5) Buy recycled or recyclable products.
6) Compost yard waste.

For more information on recycling and proper disposal of hazardous wastes, visit the West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board website at www.wvswmb.gov and the Recycling Coalition of West Virginia at www.wvrecycles.com.

Clendenin can be reached at the SWA office by calling 304-799-6262.

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