As of October 1, new laws in North Carolina made it illegal to dispose of plastic bottles and various other items in landfills. Residents must recycle such items rather than simply throw them out with the rest of the trash.

Mark Delahant, Public Works Director for Stokes County, received notification that plastic bottles, motor oil filters and wooden pallets would be banned from landfills, according to the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR). Dee Freeman, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, noted, “Recycling is a proven job creator in North Carolina.”

North Carolina is home to many of the nation’s largest recycling facilities, providing jobs for hundreds of people plus offering recycled products which are used in carpets, new plastic bottles, plastic strapping for shipping, and other uses.

Wooden pallets are another item which cannot be disposed of in a public landfill. Generally pallets can be easily recycled. Pallet recycling in North Carolina currently employs over 1,000 residents. Pallets may be recycled as pallets or damaged pallets can become wood compost.

On the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Dare County has recently banned retail

See RECYCLING, page A2

stores from using plastic bags to bag customers’ purchases. While many groceries here ask if one prefers “paper or plastic,” stores on the Outer Banks simply package purchases in paper.

State officials noted that all county offices, break rooms, schools, community buildings, and parks and recreation facilities can assist in the effort to ensure compliance with the new law. State officials said that the easiest and best way to ensure compliance is for all organizations to provide recycling containers for plastic bottles.

As bottled water has become increasingly popular, empty water bottles have become a concern for environmentalists. Easy access for people to recycle water bottles and other soft drink bottles will help minimize bottles that are thrown away but then can be recycled for another use.

State officials stated that their goal is not to catch people not complying with the

See RECYCLING, page A2

new regulations, but rather to help people learn about not throwing away items that can be recycled.

Walnut Cove is the first municipality in the county to offer curbside recycling services. Homer Dearmin, town manager for Walnut Cove, said that the first curbside pickup would be on October 5, 2009. Residents must purchase bins, which were to be made available on September 14, at a cost of $7.50 for the first bin and $7 for additional bins. Materials which will be accepted include aluminum cans, steel cans, glass, plastic bottles, newspapers, magazines and cardboard. All materials may be placed in one bin without being separated.

The city of King offers drop-off recycling on weekends. The center is located at 127 West King Street. Call 983-6055 for more information, or visit the city’s website at www.ci.king.nc.us.

Stokes County offers residents the opportunity to recycle at each of the green box centers throughout the county. Centers are located in Pinnacle, Walnut Cove, Lawsonville, Pine Hall, Sandy Ridge, Francisco, Westfield and Germanton. Employees are available to provide direction about “what goes where.” Hours vary slightly from site to site, and materials accepted vary from site to site. People can call the Stokes County Public Works Department at 593-2415 for more specific information, or visit the county website at www.co.stokes.nc.us.