City Increases Recycling by 15 Percent
Kennesaw took second place in the Waste Reduction and Recycling category of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Awards.
Monday, the City of Kennesaw was honored for a pilot recycling project that resulted in a 15 percent increase in recycling.
In its first year competing, Kennesaw took second place in the Waste Reduction and Recycling category of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Awards, according to a release from the city.
Kennesaw's “Go Green with Blue” program provided a blue 65-gallon roll cart for recycle collection to 500 households in five pilot neighborhoods. This was supported by a rigorous public awareness campaign which included brochures, newsletters and signage.
The city's 18 percent recycling rate compares to a 32 percent rate in the pilot neighborhoods. The eventual goal is to raise the city's recycling rate to 40 percent, the release said.
According to the release, the success of the pilot program has encouraged city officials to expand it to additional neighborhoods through the purchase of more carts.
The Keep Georgia Beautiful awards program honors ongoing efforts in community improvement, waste reduction, recycling and more.
“Local communities should be very proud of the efforts nominated groups and individuals put forth to make their part of the world a better place,” said Sarah Visser, Executive Director of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation. “We are proud to pull all of these local efforts together and highlight the great work and progress being made statewide.”
The city is currently in the process of ordering more 65-gallon recycle carts, according to Public Works officials. If you would like to request a cart, contact RoseAnn Kesterson at the Public Works Department at rkesterson@kennesaw-ga.gov, or call 770-421-8582 and you will be put on the waiting list. Currently, handheld recycle bins can be picked up at the Public Works Department located at 3080 Moon Station Rd.
ineedpeace
4:14 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
I love the new bins... I love having a larger one and one with a lid! I recycle lots more now because of it. Before my dogs would get into the recycling so I pretty much stopped. Now I do it with everything again! Thanks for the Going Green with Blue!
Dorothea
5:58 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
I wish I could get one. I put out at least 3 containers each week. I called mts. ago for one and I am still waiting for one of the roll out kind of recycle bins. Getting a little older and would love to push in place of lugging. Good job Kennesaw.
David Chastain
8:49 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
How do we get the new bins?
Gaetana Pipia
11:46 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Hi, David. I should have an answer for you by tomorrow morning unless there are any city workers currently online who can answer your question.
Gaetana Pipia
10:22 am on Thursday, November 17, 2011
David, I've updated the article with info on how to get the new bins: The city is currently in the process of ordering more 65-gallon recycle carts, according to Public Works officials. If you would like to request a cart, contact RoseAnn Kesterson at the Public Works Department at rkesterson@kennesaw-ga.gov, or call 770-421-8582 and you will be put on the waiting list. Currently, handheld recycle bins can be picked up at the Public Works Department located at 3080 Moon Station Rd.
JACQUE
10:43 am on Thursday, November 17, 2011
We now have a trash can and a recycle can inside our home in every room. At the end of the week the outside 65 gal rolling recycle bin is overflowing when it is rolled to the street and the 95 gal trash bin sometimes does not go to the street but every other week. I'd say the rolling recycle bin has had a huge impact on how much we recycle. Good job City of Kennesaw!
Gib Connor
11:30 am on Thursday, November 17, 2011
How about a little credit for the Kennesaw Environmental Committee. We have worked hard for years to improve our recycling contribution through education, recycle events, spending money on city recycle containers and generally prodding the Mayor and council to keep this a priority. We have done all this on a shoestring budget. We are volunteers who, as a city sanctioned committee are now close to achieving the title of "KEEP KENNESAW BEAUTIFUL". In addition, we have seen a substantial reduction in landfill output, due to the citizen's ever increasing willingness to recycle. As I understand, our bill from the landfill is lower and is offset by our recycling success by a substantial amount. Gib Connor, 2011 Chairman, Kennesaw Environmental Committee
Gaetana Pipia
12:48 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2011
Hi, Gib. I'd love to hear more about your work with the Kennesaw Environmental Committee. Please contact me at gaetana.pipia@patch.com.
Bill Thrash
1:08 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2011
I agree with Gib. Our environmental committee as well as our many other volunteer boards do a fantastic job of promoting our cities agenda. That is what makes Kennesaw so wonderful. Great people who truly care....
Cris Eaton Welsh
2:53 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2011
LOVE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE! You guys rock. I am so proud to be a part of this city.