SWACO partners with businesses, launches new recycling initiative

TOLEDO (Scrap Monster): Recycling is about to get a little easier in Franklin County.

Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio is starting a new campaign beginning Saturday, Oct. 1, to help reduce the amount of plastic bags that end up at the landfill. According to SWACO, Ohioans throw away millions of plastic bags every year.

“Bring Me Back” is a partnership between SWACO and more than 60 retailers across Franklin County, offering dozens of locations for people to drop off plastic bags. The program urges customers to return their bags to more than 100 collection bins in the county.

According to SWACO Communications Manager Hanna Greer-Brown, the number of plastic bags has been an ongoing problem.

“Plastic bags are everywhere in our community,” she said. “We see them stuck in trees or as litter along the roadside.”

Other than plastic bags, locations will also be collecting items like newspaper and produce bags, cereal box liners, plastic wrap from paper towels, toilet paper and bottled water and also food storage bags.

“The good news is that recycling is easy,” she said.

SWACO is also encouraging people not to put their plastic bags in curbside recycling, saying it often gets stuck in and damages recycling sorting equipment.

According to SWACO, about 65 percent of Americans reuse their bags for trash disposal. Other common uses include:

• Lunch bags
• Packing material
• Protecting plants from frost
• Paint brush covers
• Shoe covers
• Plarn (plastic yarn)
• Covering side mirrors and wiper blades during icy weather

SWACO says the new program will be an ongoing educational initiative. You can find more information about “Bring Me Back,” as well as one of the 100 recycling locations in Franklin County here.

Courtesy: www.10tv.com