Orderly recycling in Aberdeen

ABERDEEN - Aberdeen has a brand new feature: a sleek-looking but sturdy station for recyclable materials. The station has been erected at the open erf next to Foodzone in the centre of town. It is situated at the corner of Hope and Grey Streets. It contains separate deposit bags for plastic, paper, glass and tin. The neatly constructed and very visible station also serves to raise awareness about the responsible disposal of trash and it is a silent reminder to not litter.

This initiative is brought by Aberdeen Ratepayers and Residents Association (ARRPA). The Chairperson of ARRPA, Heinrich Marx, says that since sorting and collecting of recyclables do not form part of the local municipal refuse removal service, ARRPA has identified the need for such service and decided to address the need.

He points out that ARRPA cannot run this project in conjunction with the local municipality, since the municipality does not have a recycling service in Aberdeen. However, there is a local private recycling business in town. Therefore, ARRPA decided to support said business with this initiative.

"The recycling station is privately funded and situated on private property. As the spokesperson for ARRPA the chairperson reiterates that ARRPA's main objective with this project is to assist the municipality in its efforts to keep the town clean."

The local recycling centre situated in Hope Street will regularly empty the bags at the recycling station.

Marx explains that at the recycle centre the collected recyclables are pressed into huge bales and then shipped off to upcyclers.

"We encourage businesses, residents and visitors to orderly dispose of recyclable materials. Instead of merely mixing recyclables with other trash destined for dumping at the already out of control municipal dumping site, recyclables should be disposed of separately."