Polk County Mobile Recycling collects from one,

to one-and-a-half tons of recycled materials on a typical morning between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. in Tryon (Harmon Field, Mondays), Saluda (Ozone Dr., Tuesdays), Green Creek (Fire Station on alternate Wednesdays) and Columbus (downtown, Thursdays). Recyclables are also collected at the transfer station on Rte. 9 every day including Saturday (8 a.m.-4 p.m.).

There is often some confusion as to what is recyclable. Recyclable items include glass bottles, aluminum and steel cans, paper (including books and magazines) and cardboard and plastic containers with a “1” or “2” stamped in a triangle on the bottom.

A recent change is that the plastic containers must now be separated from the other recyclables and placed in a bin specifically for plastic. Please separate the plastic containers before coming to the recycling station.

All other containers (metal cans and glass bottles) can still be mixed together as usual. Batteries and light bulbs are also accepted. Computers, printers, fax machines, monitors etc. must now be taken to the landfill. They will not be accepted on the truck. There is a charge of $10 per item to recycle electronics at the landfill.

Items that do not qualify for recycling are tin foil, tin pie pans, plastic coat hangers, plastic bags, or flower pots, window or mirror glass, drink glasses, Styrofoam and metal items of any kind like coat hangers, wax coated paperboard milk cartons, containers that have been used for motor oil, gasoline, anti-freeze or poisons (Roundup, pesticides etc.). Those items can be brought to the transfer station in Mill Spring where there is a bin for metal, a place to recycle motor oil and of course bins for mixed trash.

Due to the danger of someone being cut, please notify the attendant of any broken glass in bags you’ve brought.

We are very grateful for all the kind folks who recycle. Every ton that is recycled is a ton that does not go into the landfill.

If you’re not able to climb up and drop your materials in the bin, the truck driver will be happy to do it for you. That’s part of the service.

Those of you who don’t recycle as of yet, come on down and try it. It is a good place to meet your friends and help the world at the same time.

– article submitted by recycling attendants Rich Robinson and Dan Dworkin