Danny Masten shows how the Pulaski County Recycling Center can do on-site paper shredding . Photo by Olyvia Neal
People can recycle all they want , but if there aren ’ t people coming here every day to process it , the system is broken . It ’ s not an easy job , and there ’ s nothing glamorous about picking through somebody ’ s recyclables , but they are here every day .”
Since 2007 , the center has recycled almost 84 million pounds of material that would have instead gone to landfills . The United States Environmental Protection Agency said in 1990 there were 6,326 landfills , while only about 1,250 landfills remain open today .
“ My kids are 12 and eight years old , and as time goes on and landfills continue to close , I think about how they ’ re going to struggle in years to come ,” said Masten . “ Every little bit counts , and it does make a difference . Some of the things that we recycle would have sat in a landfill for another 200 years until it would finally start to decompose , and some things like glass never will .”
Masten said the center has worked with schools around the area to educate and encourage future generations with the importance of recycling through various projects including an upcoming program this school year where students can design a picture that will go on their new recycling truck .
“ We ’ ve made it a priority to get into schools and teach recycling ,” said Masten . “ We hope to raise a generation where recycling is just what we do .”
The center has partnered with around 500 businesses in their recycling program . According to Masten , this benefits the environment , the businesses and the center in a multitude of ways .
“ Companies that buy into this are helping our community by supporting this center , helping the environment by not landfilling and they ’ re helping themselves because they don ’ t have to pay to get rid of that waste , which we do as a free service ,” said Masten . Masten said the center has also aimed to reduce litter in its community through promoting outreach programs including
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