Fairhope Recycles

By Jene' Young Meteorologist

Get ready to recycle! America Recycles Day means free electronic recycling in Fairhope. Fairhope Recycles

Published: Wed, November 14, 2007 - 7:54 pm Last Updated: Mon, July 28, 2008 - 5:15 pm

Jene' Young

For more than ten years, Fairhope has been leading the way for local recycling.
We have a 46% participation rate, which is not mandatory for residents to participate. So it's voluntary and 46% is pretty good,"says April Westervelt, the environmental officer for the City of Fairhope. "Last year alone we probably made over 100,000 dollars just on the materials we sold."

The revenue helps offset the cost for recycling.
Neighbors, schools, and business all do their part. There is even a competition among schools.
Jennifer Fidler, Fairhope's Public Works Director says, "We actually send them (the schools) a report card on how they do. They all scored A's and B's so they've all done really well."
The schools even get rewarded!
For their A+ in recycling, Fairhope Middle School received an outdoor bench in appreciation for all their hard work.
When school is out for the summer, paper recycling goes down at the recycling center!

If you think recycling is not important, you may want to think again.
Westervelt says, "Landfill space is limited, we're running out of space to put our garbage and recycling creates a new outlet for the items. It uses less energy to reuse the items. About 2/3rds of what you are throwing away is paper."

For America Recycles Day, Fairhope is holding a recycling event for your old electronics.
Residents are encouraged to bring in their obsolete electronics, from computers to TVs and cell phones.

Electronic recycling is important because you cannot toss out your electronics like your left overs.
Westervelt says, "Computers and TVs hold a lot of lead in their screens so to recycle them, keeps them out of the landfill. Which once they go into the landfill the lead is prone to go to water sources."

This electronic recycling event is just in time for the holidays! It takes place between 10 am and 2 pm Thursday, November 15th. Fairhope residents and small businesses can drop off up to ten electronic items. There is also no charge for the event! If you have any questions you can call 990-0192.

For information on general recycling, and what items you can throw out here is a list. Fairhope Recycling