When Merle Paschedag and Deb Lyons began collecting neighbors' recyclables in their backyard almost three years ago, they knew they were on to something. And with a little time and a lot of hard work, their efforts blossomed into the Greater Paducah Sustainability RecycleNow project, a communitywide reduce-reuse-recycle revolution. Lots of great volunteers ran the program from the Park Avenue Kroger on the fourth Saturday of each month.
Recently, the program took a giant step forward with the use of its own official recycling drop-off center at 1830 North 8th St. And, get this, starting Thursday, October 16, recycling will be open Thursday afternoons (noon-6 p.m.), Friday mornings (7 a.m.-noon) and Saturdays, 9 a.m-1 p.m., every week! That's three days a week for easy recycling!
Also new are these very attractive blue recycling bins, available for parties of all sizes. If you'd like one, you can pick one up at the recycling center or arrange to have it dropped off to you for a small fee. Email Merle for details.
The process couldn't be much simpler. Simply drive down the right side of the building and in through the back door. Unload your recyclables at the appropriate bins. Help is available if you need assistance. Afterward, the RecycleNow team sorts and loads the material for delivery. Most of the items are delivered to Mason's Recycling Center on Old Mayfield Road. Glass is hauled to a recycler in St. Louis.
And just like that, we’ve recycled.
Get Your Raffle Tickets Now!
Along with all that, the RecycleNow team is selling raffle tickets, $5 each, between now and December 15. The top four winning tickets will have a choice of prizes, including:
- A Seven-Day Vacation, $2,500 value
One-week condo in Kissimmee, Fla., sleeps four to six, June 6-13, 2009. Donated by Jackson Purchase Resource Conservation and Development Foundation, along with mini-van for travel from and returning to Paducah, donated by Chip Wynn Jeep and a gas card to help with the vacation, donated by GPS RecycleNow. - Hand-Woven, Sterling Silver & 18kt Gold Bracelet, $500 value
Designed by environmental artist John Harding, donated by Michelson's Jewelry. - 37-inch Flat Screen TV, $500 value
Donated by Aarons Sales and Leasing. - Trek Allant Bike, $500 value
Choice of men's or women' bikes, donated by Bike World of Paducah. - Artwork from LowerTown Artists
Check the RecycleNow site for details soon.
To further support the group's efforts, please become official members. Student memberships are $10; regular memberships are $20, a business membership is $50 and to be an official sponsor is $500.
The group is always looking for volunteers — especially on Saturdays. So sign up online. See you there!
