The Clinton County recycling program is now up and running, the main center is open and four recycle compartmentalized trailers are set up taking recyclable products from all local residents who wish to participate.

The project began several months ago when the Lake Cumberland Area Development District notified the county that recycling grants were available to start such a program. The county applied and was awarded a 75/25 percent matching grant in the amount of $135,781.96 in one lump sum for equipment.

The county’s share is in-kind service in which the building and labor is supplied and can be written off over the years. Also, the county can request funding for additional items annually.

Currently, compartmentalized recycle bins are set up at Clinton County High School, the Recycling Center location at the old county garage building and there will be two such bins located at the city water department on Allen Street, according to Clinton County Judge/Executive Richard Armstrong.

The grant funds were used to purchase the following equipment: a John Deere skid steer; four pro-gravity recycle trailers; two Marathon vertical balers; a fork lift; scrap grapple; rail pallet fork, pallet jack; pro-mesh trailer; and 20 roll-out carts.

Jay Craig has been employed as the Recycling Coordinator and, since being on the job, has been working hard to operate the recycle center, collect, separate and bale the recyclables collected and will be responsible for finding the best market to sell the recycle products collected.

Craig said currently companies based out of Atlanta and Chicago were in the market area to purchase recycle products and once a semi-truck load of items are baled and ready, would be picked up and shipped. He estimated it would take about a month at a time to fill a full semi-truck load for shipment.

Both Armstrong and Craig stressed that only recycle items would be accepted and items that can be placed in the bins–which are marked individually for each product, are:

* Paper–newspapers, magazines, catalogs, office paper, junk mail, shredded paper, etc.

* Corrugated cardboard, pre-flattened boxes; fiberboard, beverage, cereal, cake mix, pasta, cracker/gift boxes, etc.

* Plastic–rinsed, see label or bottom of the plastic.

* Aluminum, tin beverage and metal food containers: lightly rinse. no paint cans, aerosol cans or other potentially harmful or hazardous cans.

Craig uses the help of two Clinton County Jail inmates to separate all of the recyclable products collected, which are then baled separate by category and housed until sold to a company that purchases the products. He is now being assisted with the work by recently hired Solid Waste Coordinator Ricky Stearns.

Craig also makes pick-ups twice per week from the approximate 12 carts that are now set up to take recyclable items, as well as collecting cardboard, which he said was probably the most collected recycled item.

Craig is also working with each of the schools in the district, educating them on the recycling program and invites community members to come by the recycling center any time to see the operation of the facility.

The new coordinator said that thus far, the community has responded very well to the recycling program and was looking forward to have a place to recycle their products in their own community.

In addition to the regular recycle products accepted by the center, vehicle batteries can also be taken to the center, and goods can be picked up by appointment. They will also accept computers and accessories, as well as flat-screen televisions, printers, fax machines, cell phones, etc at no charge. The only exception is non-flat screen tvs where there is a 15 cent surcharge.

Items may be dropped off at the recycling center at 136 Clinton Street, and can be picked up by making an appointment by calling 606-387-9593.

Officials stressed that only the recyclable items listed above would be accepted and no household waste would be allowed.

Recycling not only helps the environment by reducing the amount of products put into landfills, but also teaches school age children stewardship and helps keep the community a little cleaner and more attractive to both tourists and local citizens.

Although the recycling program has been underway the past few weeks, a date has been set aside for local residents to go by and tour the facility and its operations and get more information. The public is welcome to drop by the facility next Monday, November 23 beginning at 8 a.m.

For more information about the recycling program, including locations of recycling cart placements, pick-up times, what can and cannot be put in the recycling bins, or just general information on the new program, people may call Craig at 606-306-3119 or the judge/executive’s office at 387-5234.