December 2, 2015
Contact: Doug Bolnick, Public Information Officer, 636-949-7408
St. Charles County, Missouri – St. Charles County introduced its first Recycle Works facility in 1990 to help citizens’ efforts to preserve our community and its natural resources. With two facilities now open in the county, the Department of Community Health and the Environment celebrates the 25th anniversary of its recycling program.
“When we initiated our program 25 years ago, recycling was little more than an ideology,” Division of Environmental Health and Protection Director Ryan Tilley stated. “Now, the practice is almost second nature to most St. Charles County residents. We’re proud that we’ve helped to improve our community through the collection of more than 40 million pounds of recyclable material since 1990.”
As a gift to the community to recognize the progress of this program, the department will offer free small electronic recycling for St. Charles County residents who visit Recycle Works Central (60 Triad South Drive in St. Charles) and Recycle Works West (2110 East Pitman Avenue in Wentzville) on Saturday, Dec. 26 between 9 a.m., and 4 p.m. This collection is open to individual St. Charles County residents only (businesses and community organizations are not eligible to participate) and is limited solely to electronic material (please note that large appliances will not be accepted during this special collection). Participants should place material in the trunk of their vehicle, and staff will remove it at the facility. For questions regarding this special 25th Anniversary Electronics Collection please call (636) 949-1800.
“Recycling is more than just a fuzzy feeling; it actually helps to preserve our natural resources for the future,” said Martin Reddick, who has served as the coordinator for Recycle Works West since it opened in 1990. “Many of our customers, I’ve come to know on a first name basis. For example, Bill and Jannice have visited our facility almost every Tuesday for the past five years, knowing that their efforts will enhance the world for our children and grandchildren.”
In addition to the free small electronic collection, recent improvements at Recycle Works West will now allow the facility to collect household hazardous waste material year-round. A community grant to construct a climate-controlled bunker and pave the outdoor driveway/parking area will enable the department to accept items such as pesticides, chemical cleaners, non-latex paints and other potentially toxic material throughout the year, as opposed to solely in spring and summer months as previously offered. Along with this new collection at Recycle Works West, household hazardous waste will continue to be accepted at Recycle Works Central from May through September. There is a $15 fee for loads of up to 50 pounds, with an additional fee of $1 for each pound of material collected above 50.
To complement curbside collections, St. Charles County’s Recycle Works Central and Recycle Works West accept recyclable materials from residents throughout the year. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, the facilities collect aluminum; electronic devices and peripherals; cardboard and paper products; printer, toner and fax cartridges; certain household hazardous wastes; clothing and textiles; some plastics; and glass items. For information on St. Charles County’s Recycle Works facilities, please call 636-949-1800.
###