Blue Springs, Mo. – The Blue Springs Solid Waste Management Commission challenged residents to increase their paper recycling between November 2 and November 16 in celebration of America Recycles Day. The goal for the two-week challenge was to recycle 2,800 pounds of cardboard and 4,200 pounds of paper, or a total of 3.5 tons.
Significant participation efforts helped in far surpassing the recycling goals. A total of 16,960 pounds of cardboard and 12,570 pounds of paper were collected at the Pink Hill Park Recycling Center during the two-week challenge.
In comparison, since the recycling center has been open (July 2010) the monthly average weight of cardboard collected is 5,529 pounds and on average 7,773 pounds of paper is collected each month. Cardboard had the highest collection amount to date, exceeding the highest collection month in July 2011 of 11,490 pounds.
Diverting paper and cardboard products from the landfills not only helps the environment, but also provides funding for the operation of the facility. The City earns 50 percent of the income from all paper and cardboard products collected at the center.
“We would like to thank all of those who participated in the recycling challenge and helped divert a tremendous amount of paper and cardboard products from the landfill,” said Alice Fuerst, Solid Waste Management Commission Chair. “While the recycling challenge might be over, I want to encourage residents to continue recycling their waste products.”
The Blue Springs Pink Hill Park Recycling Center located at 2725 NW Park Road is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays in the winter from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Materials accepted at the center include, paper, newspapers and magazines and shredded paper, cardboard, paperboard, plastics (#1-7), aluminum cans, steel/tin food cans, glass jars and bottles and phone books. Please remove food from containers and covers from bottles prior to disposal. Recycling center attendants are located on-site during regular hours of operation if assistance is needed.
For more information contact Lauren Gowdy in the Community Development Department at 816-220-4504 or visit the City’s website at www.bluespringgov.com/recycling to learn more about the community recycling center.
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