Two Computer Recycling events were held January of 2011. Residents brought in 77.86 tons of material.. More info at www.plugintoyourcommunity.info. Look for two more events to be held on February 4th and 11th of 2012.

The event's non-profit coordinators are supported by City Public Service Department, Knox County Solid Waste Office, Best Buy, WBIR TV, B97.5 and WOUT 91.9.

In 2010, City and County residents took the opportunity to recycle their outdated computers at the Farragut High and Chilhowee Park. Over 3000 residents recycled 146 tons of computers and peripherals and TVs. Recycling this material is the equivalent to saving the energy use of 34 households a year, saving 1107 barrels of oil, 51.313 gallons of gasoline, and removing emissions from the air of 79 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. Visit www.cityofknoxville.org/solidwaste/hazwaste.asp for more information.

Small and medium size businesses with 100 computers or less may take their 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.

America Recycles Day - www.americarecyclesday.org

The City of Knoxville's Solid Waste Section is again helping sponsor America Recycles Day (ARD) in Knoxville for City of Knoxville and Knox County residents. America Recycles Day in Knoxville will take place from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday, November 12th, at the West Town Mall parking lot on the Morrell Rd. side of the Mall.

The Theme for this year's event is: "Environmental Information & Participation!"

Residents will be able to bring in old or unwanted documents to be confidentially shredded and recycled by Goodwill. There is no limit to how many documents residents can bring, and this may include items such as old tax documents, billing statements, receipts or any other paper document that needs secure disposal. All documents will be securely transported the shredding facility. Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union will be on hand to provide free information on how long old documents should be kept and when it is appropriate to dispose of them.

Other events happening on site at America Recycles Day include: a Unwanted Unused Medication Collection event to be held by the Knoxville Police Department, a Used Mercury Thermometer Exchange for a digital one by the City Solid Waste Office, residents can take the ARD pledge to recycle during the coming year to be registered to win one of 10 Can Crushers to be given away by the Knox County Solid Waste Office. The Knoxville Recycling Coalition and Alcoa will be giving away in home recycling bins while they last. Keep Tennessee Beautiful and Keep Blount Beautiful will be set up to take your questions about volunteer work and keeping our communities clean. The Water Quality Form will be on hand to answer your questions about water quality. Waste Connections will be available to discuss curbside recycling and Recycle Bank. Medic will answer you questions about blood donations along with bone marrow testing and organ donations.

"Environmental Information & Participation!" is sponsored by the City of Knoxville and Knox County Solid Waste Offices, Keep Knoxville Beautiful, the Knoxville Recycling Coalition, Waste Connections, Alcoa, Waste Connections, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, Knology, , Keep Blount Beautiful, TV CH-10, and West Town Mall, Knox County Air Quality, Alcoa, Rock-Tenn, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and Eagle Distributing.

Seventh Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony Scheduled for Flag Day Weekend

The city of Knoxville and Knox County, along with local businesses and organizations will sponsor a flag retirement ceremony on Saturday, June 14th. "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 This year the event will honor of the men and women POW and MIA’s who have proudly served our country during all wars and conflicts.” 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, Company D, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, United States Marine Corps Reserve, 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 coming 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 17, 2010. Last year, EarthFest was the 10th major event of its kind in Knoxville, and it is estimated that 11,000 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.org web site.
More Info: Protect the Planet