Recycling Takes Center Stage in Beaufort County with Engaging Community Tours

Recycling Takes Center Stage in Beaufort County

Beaufort County is buzzing with excitement as residents get an inside look at their recycling process! On November 15th, a series of tours took place at the recycling facility in Hardeeville, giving locals a chance to see what happens to their recyclables once they drop them off at convenience centers.

Meet i2Recycle

The shiny facility is owned by i2Recycle, a company newly contracted by Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling. This partnership started on August 1st, and county officials saw this tour event as an opportunity to foster community engagement and offer more transparency about the recycling process. Valentina Palacio, the Environmental Education Coordinator with Beaufort County Public Works, emphasized the importance of showing residents how their recycling is managed. “One of the biggest reasons for that was the need for higher transparency in the process,” Palacio explained. Plus, the facility is owned by someone from the community, which was an added bonus for many attendees who feel a deeper trust in local business.

A Huge Turnout!

The first-ever public tours were a smash hit! A total of 50 enthusiastic participants attended, with an impressive waitlist of 40 more eager residents unable to secure a spot. Palacio said, “We absolutely love to hold more tour days in the future.” And who wouldn’t want to take a peek behind the curtain at how their recycling is sorted and processed?

Get Hands-On with Recycling!

But it was not all just looking and listening. Adults over the age of 18 got to roll up their sleeves and sort some of the recycling themselves! How cool is that? Participants stood shoulder to shoulder, learning what items belong in which bin, and discovering the ins and outs of recycling.

What Can You Recycle?

During the tour, the importance of understanding what can be recycled was stressed. For our Beaufort folks, it’s crucial to know the dos and don’ts of recycling!

• Remove caps and lids from all plastic and glass bottles.
• Only send items that are larger than a cup but smaller than a gallon.
• Don’t bag your recyclables; they should be loose!
• Recyclable paper needs to be bigger than a standard envelope.
• Don’t crush your bottles and cans before tossing them in.

It’s these little tips that can make a big difference. Following these guidelines not only helps the county keep things running smoothly but ensures a more efficient recycling process!

Stay in the Loop!

So, residents of Beaufort County, if you’re curious about what else you can do to support the recycling initiative or wish to learn more about what can be recycled, head over to Beaufortcountysc.gov/recycle or give the Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling folks a call at 843-255-2736.

The message is clear: if we want our environment to thrive, staying informed and actively participating in recycling is a must! With community interest steadily rising, it seems that we may see even more engaging events like this in the future. Let’s keep Beaufort beautiful together!