Local industry opens recycling station to public
Inspired by the success of their in-house recycling efforts, team members at Cedartown’s HON Company are giving local residents a chance to reduce the amount of household trash that ends up in local landfills.
A recycling station that was already in use by HON and its team members is open to the general public.
One thing that stands out about this recycling area is that it was created with “up-cycled” items that came out of the furniture manufacturing plant. The structure itself and the collection baskets were repurposed to create the covered recycling area. Signage for the recycling area was the only cost, and it was nominal, said HON member Joey Brock.
The Cedartown HON plant was already recycling 91% of its internal waste. “Our
goal is to get to 95% minimal on waste,” Brock explained in November. “We can do it. We’re almost there. It’s just taking into consideration all of the little things that can add up.”
Brock is eager to see the community embrace the recycling area, and that positivity is shared by other HON team members as well, including Sam Giles, Lee Williams and Billie Barnette.
They met last November with Cedartown City Manager Edward Guzman and then City Commission Chairman Andrew Carter, along with Polk County Manager Matt Denton and Assistant County
Manager Connor Hooper.
The group spent some time learning about HON’s recycling procedures and checking out the recycling area.
“We’re inviting anyone, businesses as well, to bring their cardboard waste and paper scraps. We will bundle it and get it recycled. It’s a great way to keep things out of the landfill,” explained Williams. “We want to see this take off.”
He said money earned from the recycling effort goes back to HON members in the form of appreciation lunches and things of that nature.
“It’s a small amount of money we’re getting back right now. As this grows and others start bringing their items, we want to start making donations to local charities and organizations,” Williams said.
“It’s keeping recyclable items out of our landfill and it will help these organizations that are helping others.”
The recycling area is accessible to the public anytime during the day and evening. It is located on the North Ninth Street entrance. Items accepted are cardboard and paper.