DeSoto County sees growth in curbside recycling

A curbside recycling service is helping DeSoto County residents save both the environment and county dollars.

Waste Pro’s curbside recycling program began in October, following multiple proposals, long negotiations and a new garbage collection contract. The free service works in conjunction with standard trash pickup and collects recyclable items on the same scheduled day.

Ray Laughter, DeSoto County director of environmental services, said getting the program up and running has been a priority.

“The board of supervisors has long had a vision for this service within the county,” Laughter said. “This unique opportunity saw the board’s vision come to fruition.”

There are 14,500 serviceable garbage units eligible for curbside recycling in the unincorporated parts of DeSoto County. Of those, about 4,500 units are currently participating in the service.

Waste Pro municipal marketing director Lori Cate said the number of curbside recycling participants has grown steadily, mirroring DeSoto County’s rising population. With that in mind, an emphasis has been placed on educating residents who may be unaware of the program.

“Waste Pro was on the square in Hernando for Earth Day festivities promoting the service and signing up any interested families,” Cate said. “Education is a large part of the success of any recycling program, and DeSoto County and Waste Pro continue to partner to educate residents about the recycling service offered.”

Eligible residents can sign up for curbside recycling online at www.wasteprousa.com, or by calling (901) 236-0660. Once enrolled, Waste

Pro will deliver a 96-gallon rolling garbage cart to the applicant’s address.

Carts must be placed on the curb with the handles facing toward the house, no later than 7 a.m. on a resident’s scheduled collection day. When a designated holiday falls on a weekday, pickup occurs one day later than normal for the rest of the week.

“Recyclable materials are collected and taken to a materials recovery facility (MRF) in Memphis for processing unlike garbage which is disposed of at the landfill,” Cate said.

Waste Pro handles and recycles most paper, metal cans, glass and plastic.

While DeSoto County hasn’t started running any official numbers yet, Laughter said the board is expecting positive results once Waste Pro’s curbside recycling program reaches the oneyear mark.

“Based on our estimates, we feel we will see a significant reduction in disposal cost within the county budget,” Laughter said.