Posted: 8/28/2009
By James Mulcahy
It was pure coincidence that three friends were on the same
page of recycled paper at the same time. What began as a conversation about
recycling led to Shelby County's only service for home pickup of recyclables.
"I think it's something the community needs," said Dan Staples, a partner in Living Green Curbside Recycling with Jason Whisman and Jeff Long.
Shelby County Judge/Executive Rob Rothenburger agrees.
"I think it's fantastic," he said. "It's going to improve the recycling effort in the county."
Weekly pickups started in July. Long tools all over Shelby County in the now familiar box truck with the Living Green logo boldly announcing his arrival. From the 18-gallon recycling bins residents leave at their curbs, Long methodically separates the discarded plastics, cardboard, paper, glass, aluminum and steel cans. When he's loaded, Long will deliver the items to the Shelby County Recycling Center on 7th Street. The center will then get the revenues from what has been turned in.
"This is a win for all of Shelby County," Whisman said. "We just want to be part of the community."
The company makes its money from the nominal fees it charges for the service: $14.95 a month for residential customers, and $24.95 a month for businesses.
"There are a lot of savings out there," Whisman said. "This service will reduce trash 50 to 75 percent, and for businesses your Dumpster bill may drop 50 percent."
Whisman said the partners' goal is to grow enough to sell what they collect. "Right now we're giving the commodity to the county," he said.
"Everybody says, 'I know we need to,' but we're doing it," Whisman said.
Shelby County Solid Waste Director Russell Thomas is glad someone is doing it.
"This is a good thing for the community," he said. "We hope a lot of people participate."
Note: For more information, visit www.LG-REC.com.
"I think it's something the community needs," said Dan Staples, a partner in Living Green Curbside Recycling with Jason Whisman and Jeff Long.
Shelby County Judge/Executive Rob Rothenburger agrees.
"I think it's fantastic," he said. "It's going to improve the recycling effort in the county."
Weekly pickups started in July. Long tools all over Shelby County in the now familiar box truck with the Living Green logo boldly announcing his arrival. From the 18-gallon recycling bins residents leave at their curbs, Long methodically separates the discarded plastics, cardboard, paper, glass, aluminum and steel cans. When he's loaded, Long will deliver the items to the Shelby County Recycling Center on 7th Street. The center will then get the revenues from what has been turned in.
"This is a win for all of Shelby County," Whisman said. "We just want to be part of the community."
The company makes its money from the nominal fees it charges for the service: $14.95 a month for residential customers, and $24.95 a month for businesses.
"There are a lot of savings out there," Whisman said. "This service will reduce trash 50 to 75 percent, and for businesses your Dumpster bill may drop 50 percent."
Whisman said the partners' goal is to grow enough to sell what they collect. "Right now we're giving the commodity to the county," he said.
"Everybody says, 'I know we need to,' but we're doing it," Whisman said.
Shelby County Solid Waste Director Russell Thomas is glad someone is doing it.
"This is a good thing for the community," he said. "We hope a lot of people participate."
Note: For more information, visit www.LG-REC.com.
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