City's Waste Minimization group collects special items to recycle
Volunteers with Wapakoneta’s Waste Minimization Committee were busy Saturday morning, collecting items that can’t be recycled through the city’s curbside collection program.
With the spring Special Collection cancelled earlier this year, residents brought appliances, computers, batteries, paint and more to the street department to allow those items to be recycled
and disposed of safely.
Waste Minimization Chairperson Rachel Barber said typically the spring special collection was heavier than the fall; however, Saturday’s event brought out many residents.
“We’ve been really busy this morning,” fellow committee member Tom Vehorn said. In total 51 cars dropped off items at the building.
“We’re appreciative of the community taking the time to bring in their paint, their batteries, their appliances they don’t need. It’s a great way to keep things out of the landfill,” Vehorn said.
Mike Standley of Wapakoneta said it allows him to get rid of his paint he has collected.
“The paint expires after two years; you change colors,” he said. “I didn’t know what to do with it. This allowed me an opportunity to get rid of some of the old stuff.”
Barber brought in seven gallons of paint from the Auglaize County Historical Society.
“We wanted to provide a convenient service to our residents in Wapakoneta and help them to recycle unusual items,” Barber said. “If we can recycle all these things then we are really doing well by the resources we’ve been given.”
She said the items are difficult to get rid of and may be hazardous to the environment, which is why they charged a dollar per inch for a tube television. She said some items were being taken for free because they have a better source for recycling.
“People want to do the right thing if they are given the opportunity. So we are just trying to make it more convenient for them,” Barber said.
Committee member Jane Myers said she had been involved in recycling since 1970. She said it was important if they were going to keep the world clean.
Fellow Committee member Amy Crowe said it was not just about getting rid of the junk but getting rid of it appropriately.