aces.edu/bibbchiltonrecycling

Citizens can put recyclable ma-terials into properly marked (please see photo above) metal containers at various locations in Bibb and Chilton counties. Alabama Department of Cor-rections staff will collect con-tainers filled with recyclable ma-terials and transport them to Bibb Correctional Facility in Brent. Inmates at Bibb Correc-tional Facility will then load col-lected recyclables onto a trac-tor trailer, which will be trans-ported when filled to Elmore Correctional Facility. There, inmates will offload, separate and place recycled materials into designated areas or con-tainers. The materials will then be baled, sold and transported to private sector processors to be re-used or converted into new materials.

For a complete and up to date listing of recycling container locations in Bibb and Chilton counties, call the Bibb County Extension Office at (205) 926-4310; or the Chilton County Extension Office at

(205) 280-6268, or log on to aces.edu/bibbchiltonrecycling.

Bibb-Chilton Regional Recycling is a partnership of state and local entities that encourages citizens in Bibb and Chilton counties to recycle materials once considered waste into new products. In the process, area residents improve their own quality of life by embracing sustainable living and environmental stewardship, which in turn foster economic well-being by reducing roadside litter, landfill waste and associated costs.

This project was funded by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management through a grant from the Alabama Recycling Fund, and it is the result of cooper-ation among many partners, including the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Environmental Council, Alabama Department of Corrections, Bibb County Commission, Chilton County Commission, Chilton County Solid Waste Authority, Bibb County Schools, Bibb County Chamber of Commerce and municipali-ties in Bibb and Chilton counties.

RECYCLING 101WHAT IS RECYCLING?Recycling is the process of taking a product near the end of its useful life and using all or part of it to make another product. The internationally recognized symbol for recycling includes three arrows moving in a triangle. Each arrow represents a different part of the recycling pro-cess, from collection to re-manufacture to resale. Recycling requires more time, planning and effort than simply throwing into a garbage can. However, we hope you will consider the extra effort for a cleaner environment to be worth it.

HOW DO I RECYCLE AND WHAT ARE THE STEPS INVOLVED?STEP 1. PLAN IN ADVANCEThink about what you will collect and store the materials in to take them to the recycling con-tainer. Plastic trash bags are good, but consider instead reusing plastic shopping bags, as they can be just as easily tied off, loaded and taken to the recycling bin. There is no extra cost, and you are reusing plastic bags that cannot be recycled.

STEP 2. BEFORE YOU RECYCLEIf you are recycling any of the accepted forms of paper, you only need to place the paper in the recycling bag, tie it off and drop it into the properly-marked recycling bin. But if you are recycling plastic, aluminum or metal, there is an extra step or two involved.

STEP 3. RINSE CONTAINERS AND DISCARD PLASTIC CAPSLightly rinsing plastic, aluminum or metal food or drink containers with water reduces the pos-sibility of unwanted pests and undesirable smells at your home prior to recycling. Please dis-card plastic bottle tops, as they cannot be recycled.

STEP 4. RECYCLING BINS—TO SEPARATE OR NOT SEPARATE?The recycling bins have one large, undivided compartment. Thus, all recycling materials will go into the same compartment and separation is not required. Most importantly, place ONLY the allowable materials (paper, metal, plastic) into clearly-marked recycling containers.

Materials Accepted:

• #1 Plastic Containers

• #2 Plastic Containers

• Aluminum Cans

• Metal Cans

• Newspaper

• Non-waxed Cardboard

• Shredded Paper

• Paperback Books