City of Knoxville - Recycling Events

RECYCLING EVENTS

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Used Computer Recycling Collection Event

Computer Recycling event to be held in January 12 of 2008. The event will take place from 9 AM to 3 PM at Staples near Best Buy off of North Peters Rd. For more information visit: www.plugintoyourcommunity.org.

Event sponsored by The City of Knoxville Public Service Department, Knox County Solid Waste Office, TVA, WJXB 97.5, Staples, Best Buy, Advanced Polymer Recycling, WBIR TV, WUOT 91.9, and 5R Processors.

Last year, City and County residents took the opportunity to recycle their outdated computers at Staples, and over 1200 residents recycled 61.6 tons of computers and peripherals. Recycling this material is the equivalent to saving the energy use of 14 households a year, saving 470 barrels of oil, 21,790 gallons of gasoline, and removing emissions from the air of 34 vehicles for a year.

Besides the events, residents may still recycle their old computers at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 1033 Elm St. during regular business hours. http://www.cityofknoxville.org/solidwaste/hazwaste.asp

Small and medium size businesses with 100 computers or less may take there computer systems to the Solid Waste Management Facility on W. Baxter and Elm St. during normal operation hours Monday through Friday. Businesses will be charged a flat fee of $7 per monitor, and $3 per PC and any peripherals to include keyboard, mouse, printer. A maximum of 25 computers per month will be accepted from any one businesses.

Large businesses with 100 or more computers who want to recycle their old systems can contact the 5R Processors representative for proper disposal at, 877-663-9278.

City Sponsors Backyard Composter Sale

Earth Machine composters will be on sale at less than half of the normal retail price on Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Earth Fare parking lot, 10903 Parkside Dr, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last.

The bins will be sold for $40.00, tax included (cash and checks only, please).

"We are offering the Earth Machine at a discounted price to encourage residents to compost table scraps, grass and leaves so that we can reduce the volume of yard debris and trash that is picked up and taken to the landfill," said Mayor Bill Haslam.

The Knoxville Recycling Coalition 525-9694 and the Knox County Solid Waste Office 215-5865 will be selling bins in limited number after the one day sale event.

This event is sponsored by: The City of Knoxville, WBIR-TV 10, Norseman Plastics, and Earth Fare.

City Recycling Challenge

City of Knoxville and Knox County residents who recycled their aluminum cans in September can help the city win a $5000.00 cash prize that will fund recycling projects throughout the rest of the year.

The City Recycling Challenge is a national contest that rewarded cities for recycling aluminum beverage cans from Oct.. 1-31, 2007.

"Considering that the average American drinks 370 beverages in aluminum cans each year, promoting aluminum recycling makes environmental sense," said Mayor Bill Haslam. "It also makes sense because nothing recycles quicker. It only takes 60 days to turn the empty cans in your recycling bin into new cans on retailers' shelves."

Recycling Saves Energy

It goes without saying that recycling saves energy. But how much, you wonder. Lots.
Recycling 40 cans saves the equivalent of one gallon in gasoline. The energy saved by recycling one ton of aluminum could fuel a car that gets 35 mpg for 82,250 miles.

To help encourage and promote recycling, The U.S. Conference of Mayors has partnered with the Alcan Corporation to create the Cans for Cash - City Recycling Challenge.

More Info: Recycling Drop Off Centers

Used Computer Recycling Collection Event

On Saturday, January 14, 2007 City and County residents took the opportunity to recycle their outdated computers at Staples, off of North Peters Rd. conducted by the Farragut Optimist Club of West Knoxville, Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley and, Goodwill Industries. All proceeds from this event went benefit these organizations. Sponsors of the event are the City of Knoxville, Knox County, Staples, Rock Tenn, SP Recycling, 5R Processors, WBIR CH -10 and WUOT 91.9. Over 1200 residents recycled 61.6 tons of computers and peripherals. 28 tons of computers and peripherals were collected during the last one day event in January of 2006.

Look for another Computer Recycling event to be held in January 12 of 2008. The event will take place from 9 AM to 3 PM at Staples near Best Buy off of North Peters Rd. For more information visit: www.plugintoyourcommunity.org

Besides the events, residents may still recycle their old computers at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 1033 Elm St. during regular business hours.

Small and medium size businesses with 100 computers or less may take there computer systems to the Solid Waste Management Facility on W. Baxter and Elm St. during normal operation hours Monday through Friday. Businesses will be charged a flat fee of $7 per monitor, and $3 per PC and any peripherals to include keyboard, mouse, printer. A maximum of 25 computers per month will be accepted from any one businesses.

Large businesses with 100 or more computers who want to recycle their old systems can contact the 5R Processors representative for proper disposal at, 877-663-9278.

Phone Book Recycling

Phone books will be collected during the months of December and January at participating Knox County schools. Call a school near you to find out if they are participating.

Thanks to our sponsors this year for making the program a great success including Knox County, Kroger's, and all those who donated phone books.

America Recycles Day - www.americarecyclesday.org

On November 15, 2007, Tennesseans were once again be able to pledge to recycle and the chance to win a great prize. The Tennessee Recycling Coalition (TRC) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) again co-chaired America Recycles Day at the state level and have been worked closely with a diverse state-wide steering committee.

The purpose of America Recycles Day is to increase awareness and to sign cards pledging to step up their current level of recycling. These pledge cards are then entered into a national drawing for regional grand prizes made from recycled materials.

Flag Day Program

Sixth Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony Scheduled for Flag Day Weekend

Flag Disposal The city of Knoxville and Knox County, along with local businesses and organizations will sponsor a flag retirement ceremony on Saturday, June 9th. "The ceremony is an opportunity for Knox County and Knoxville residents to replace flags no longer fit for display in a patriotic and dignified manner," said Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale said, "The flags collected will be set ablaze in honor of the men and women proudly serving in our nation's guard and reserves, and in memory of those who have sacrificed their lives in the protection of our communities." Over 1000 flags were collected during the year at collection centers, see below, in preparation for the event.

Public Law 94-344, known as the Flag Code, prescribes that the flag, when it is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. All flags collected will be placed on a ceremonial pyre and set ablaze in honor of area veterans who served in our armed forces, and in memory of those who have sacrificed their lives in the protection of our communities.

This year's ceremony is sponsored by The City of Knoxville, Keep Knoxville Beautiful, Knox County, Allen Sign Company, Elks. Lodge #160, US Army Reserve 844th Engineer Battalion , and WBIR CH-10.

During the rest of the year, flags may be dropped off at any of the eight Knox County Solid Waste and Recycling Convenience Centers, either location of Allen Signs, at 2408 Chapman Hwy or 8403 Kingston Pike, or at the Goodwill attended City of Knoxville Recycling Centers. Flags may also be taken to the offices of Knox County's Department of Engineering and Public Works, 205 West Baxter Avenue, or to the office of Keep Knoxville Beautiful, 100 S. Gay St, Suite 103.
Also see - http://www.cityofknoxville.org/solidwaste/flag.asp.

Make Every Day Earth Day

This comming year the City of Knoxville and Knox County, along with other environmental groups will sponsor an Earth Day Event, http://www.knox-earthfest.org/ at Pellessippi State Community College on April 26, 2008. Last year, EarthFest was the 8th major event of its kind in Knoxivlle, and it is estimated that 13,000 people attended. Over 100 exhibitors displayed environmental ideas and present educational information this past year. If you have any questions click the questions link on the knox-earthfest web site.
More Info: Protect the Planet

ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge

The City of Knoxville's Public Service Division has made a commitment to do our part to save energy and help protect our environment. With your help, we can do even more. Be part of our team and PLEDGE HERE to make your next light one that's earned the government's ENERGY STAR® for excellence in energy efficiency. The Pledge is a simple, but vital method of getting more people like you to commit to reducing greenhouse gases and saving energy resources, one light at a time. Our goal is to get 100 people to Pledge to change at least one light at home. Just think, by reaching this goal we will be making a significant impact on our environment, reducing approximately 44,600 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions and save 28,200 kWh.
More Info: PLEDGE HERE