On Global Recycling Day, Cary residents set a strong example
Global Recycling Day is March 18, and some Cary residents taking part by reducing and reusing.
The town of Cary’s vibrant green grass and smooth sidewalks are just as clean as their residents’ recycling cans. The people who live in the community feel strongly about the materials they are rolling out to their curb.
"We are pretty serious about it," Cary resident Cathy Gabig said. "Our recycling bin is pretty much full every two weeks."
The town of Cary has a 12% contamination rate compared to the 19% state average, according to Wendy Worley, section chief of the Recycling Business Assistance Center in North Carolina’s Environmental Quality Department.
This means when the recycling materials get to the recovery facility, they have a low number of pollutants.
“It’s a direct reflection of our citizen’s efforts,” Srijana Guilford, Cary’s waste strategy consultant said. “If we can keep collecting more materials at high quality, that is an excellent thing.
The town sent magnets and stickers to their residents, educating them on proper recycling habits. Each includes a QR code that people can scan to take them to the Waste Wizard.
“If you think there is something that you think may be recyclable, compostable or just trash, check the Waste Wizard,” Guilford said. “It’s our online tool, and you can search any item and find out how to dispose of it.”
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The community seems to be responding well to the “recycling swag” they have received.
“I stuck the magnet they gave on my outside refrigerator,” Gabig said. On recycling pick-up day on Thursdays, stickers are visible on the brown Cary recycling cans.
“By being able to further support their efforts, we are helping them recycle all that they can,” Guilford concluded.
For more information on how to recycle properly, visit the Wake County website.
Ajay Patel is a senior at Temple University studying Communications while earning a Sports Media Certificate. After graduating in May, Ajay plans to pursue a career as a multimedia journalist.
