As parents and students return to super busy fall routines with packing lunches, homework, school, sports and other extracurricular activities, we’re taking a moment to share the benefits of returning to the basics of reducing, reusing and recycling in Logan County. Incorporate these recycling tips into your back-to-school routine for an earth-friendly start to the school year.
Buy durable, reusable products for your kids
It’s estimated that on average, a school-age child using a disposable lunch generates 67 pounds of waste per school year. That equates to 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for just one average-size elementary school. Although most Logan County schools have recycling programs and some Logan County schools have lunchroom recycling programs, zero waste is best. Consider switching to reusable lunch boxes, such as a lunch tote or a bento box or use recyclable paper bags and thermoses for lunches and snacks. Using durable containers creates zero waste for years at a time. Click here for more information about zero waste back-to-school tips.
What else can you do to help keep Logan County cleaner and greener?
First, before you think about recycling, consider reducing the amount of waste that you create. Start with small changes that are easy to incorporate into your daily life. Be mindful of what you purchase. Swap out single-use products with long-term options. For example, switch from plastic sandwich baggies to reusable containers or try using metal or glass straws instead of plastic straws. Try to remember to take reusable shopping bags with you whenever you go to the grocery store, drug store or department store.
Recycling in Logan County
Next, let’s talk about why it’s important to recycle. When you recycle you reduce the amount of waste sent to our local landfill. In other words, recycling allows us to lengthen the lifespan of the landfill without new cell construction. Recycling also conserves natural resources, saves energy and creates workforce opportunities right here in Logan County.
There are many opportunities for recycling. The Logan County Solid Waste District operates 16 Recycling and Pay-As-You-Throw Drop-Off Centers across the county. The Centers are well-lit, open 24/7 and provide an easy and convenient option to dispose of trash, recycle and save money in the process.
For residents and visitors alike, the process is the same. For trash disposal, simply purchase the District’s green Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) trash bags ($2.50 per bag and $12.50 for a roll of five bags) to dispose of trash in the on-site containers. PAYT bags are available for purchase at vending machines at select Recycling and Pay-As-You-Throw Centers as well as at 17 locations including Walmart and the District office in Bellefontaine.
What to recycle? Combine aluminum, glass, plastic and steel and place it in the bins marked “household containers.” Separate cardboard, boxes and other household paper and see how little trash you have left.
That’s where the savings come in. The more you recycle, the less trash you must pay to dispose of. So, it pays to recycle!
You may also want to take your recycling a step further and learn about some of the District’s special recycling programs such as the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHARM) and the daily electronics collections. It’s also helpful to know about what not to recycle.
Learn more about how to recycle in Logan County. When you recycle more, you save on your Pay-As-You-Throw trash costs. Find one of our 16 Recycling and Pay-As-You-Throw drop-off centers near you.