TRIADELPHIA — America Recycles Day happens later this month, and Ohio County officials are reminding the community there is a recycling center in the county.
The recycling center has a new director in Rebecca Friend. It is open on Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
“The recycling center has been open,” explained County Administrator Randy Russell. “It had a period where it was hit and miss (with a prior director), and was not able to be open on a regular basis.
“We have a new executive director who should be better able to maintain the facility.”
“Mostly, I have left it up to each individual vendor to do something with an environmental focus,” she said.
Among those slated to be present are the Trash Talkers, a Wheeling nonprofit group that works with the homeless population. Most recently, members teamed to clean up local homeless camps.
Representatives from Schrader Environmental Education Center will be there, as will members of the Ohio County 4-H. Mike Chiazza, industrial pretreatment coordinator for the City of Wheeling, is slated to speak on water pollution control.
The Ohio Valley Master Gardeners will be represented, and the Ohio County Virtual Lions Club will be demonstrating how to make compost in garbage bags.
There will be a plant cuttings exchange. Friend explained that instead of discarding the cuttings, seeds and bulbs from this year’s plants and allowing them to go to a landfill, people should bring them to this exchange for those wanting different varieties in their garden next year.
The Once Upon A Child consignment store also will set up a table at the event, according to Friend. Parents will be able to buy used clothing for children, at reduced prices, as well as toys, games and books.
“We often don’t think about thrift and consignment stores as being environmentally friendly, but they do a lot of good for the environment,” she said.
The recycling center also will be promoting a household hazardous waste event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 20. Those needing to dispose of such items as old paints and chemicals will be permitted to bring them to this event.
During past years, the household waste event took place at the city of Wheeling garage in Claytor, but this year the recycling center at The Highlands will be the location.
The actual America Recycles Day is on Nov. 15.
