By: Claire Tribble
The Limestone County recycling drop-off location is at 1301 North Jefferson Street, the former L&S Shopping Center site. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The center accepts plastics #1 and #2 (such as beverage bottles, shampoo bottles, and detergent containers), aluminum cans, steel cans, mixed paper (including books, magazines, and junk mail), and cardboard.
A valuable new service now available is used motor oil recycling. A large white collection tank is located on-site where residents may leave containers to be emptied and the used oil properly recycled. If you choose to empty your own container, please remember to replace the cap on the collection tank when you are finished.
As this program continues to grow, everyone’s cooperation is essential. Please sort your recyclables before arriving and do not leave trash at the site. Be sure to break down cardboard boxes and remove all plastic wrap and Styrofoam. During this transition period, things may be a little hectic as volunteers and staff establish a new routine to handle the increased volume. Please do not begin filling an empty trailer until the trailers already in line are full. The additional empty trailers are needed daily to transport recyclable materials.
When the Athens-Limestone Recycling Center closed, Limestone County lost its local option for glass recycling. Currently, the only nearby option is Phoenix Glass Recycling of North Alabama in Huntsville. Visit their website at phoenixglassrecycling.com or check out their Facebook page for current information about accepted materials and their recycling process. Glass is one of the most environmentally friendly materials to recycle because it never decomposes and can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality.
Electronics recycling is another important way to reduce waste. Small electronics, including computers, computer accessories, and cell phones, can be recycled free of charge at Staples. For larger items, such as flat-screen and plasma televisions, contact Keri Chalmers at 256-871-0674 for recycling information. Older box-style televisions are accepted only during the Household Hazardous Waste Collection events hosted by KALB and the Limestone County Commission. Because these televisions contain mercury, they cannot be collected with bulk trash or accepted at the transfer station.
Pak Mail on Forrest Street also helps keep reusable packing materials out of our landfills. They accept Styrofoam packing peanuts, bubble wrap, plastic air pillows, and packing paper. Reusing these materials extends their useful life and helps prevent lightweight plastics from becoming litter that can easily be carried by the wind.
Recycling benefits Limestone County in many ways. It helps create jobs, extends the life of our landfills, reduces litter along our roadsides, and decreases the need to extract raw materials to manufacture new products. Every recycled bottle, can, box, and piece of paper makes a difference. By taking a few extra minutes to sort and recycle properly, we can all help keep Limestone County cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful for generations to come.
By: Claire Tribble – Executive Director,
Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful
