Blue Bags and Recycling In South Walton
A friend asked me yesterday if I recycled. I responded that, yes indeed, we do recycle and we use Blue Bags.
Blue Bags?
My friend had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. Not only was she in the dark, her parents and the other people she had asked about recycling recently hadn't a clue either about the Walton County Blue Bag Recycling Program.
I guess I see why I may be in the minority of those-in-the-know. For starters, you never hear about our recycling options. If there is a marketing campaign attached to the program, I have totally missed it. What's worse, there is no conversation going on in South Walton about recycling. Throw in that it's not particularly easy to find information on recycling locally - I had to dig to find the information for this post - and, well, it's not surprising it is a totally ineffective program.
Well, I'm here to get the conversation going and provide you with all the information you need to get started recycling today - right now - if you are not already doing so. Remember - the cumulative baby steps we all take together create big changes.
There is a nifty little link at the bottom of this post - the "email this" link. Go ahead and send this post to everyone you know who lives in South Walton so we can all jump on the recycling band wagon! Information is power. Now go recycle!
■ The Blue Bag Recycling Program
Last year (2007), the county implemented the free Blue Bag Program.
The idea is that you pick up free Blue Bags to put recyclables in. No sorting is necessary - prison inmates (yes, inmates!) are given the task of sorting the recyclables at the Walton County Landfill in DeFuniak Springs. Actually, this is probably a little known fact, too - inmates have been sorting through our garbage for recyclables in Walton county for awhile so we have actually had a behind-the-scenes recycling program going on all along. The Blue Bags came into the picture to make the process more efficient and effective.
Sorting
Although sorting is not necessary, you need
to keep all paper dry (wet paper can't be recycled) and rinsing out the
glass and plastics is required. When the Blue Bag is filled, close it
up and throw it in your curbside garbage bin with your other trash for
regular pickup. It is that simple!
What to Recycle
You can recycle the following items in Blue Bags (FYI - this info is also on the bags themselves)
- Clean dry paper
- Plastics (please rinse)
- Glass (please rinse)
- Tin/steel/aluminum cans
- Corrugated cardboard
Where to pick up the bags
In South Walton, pick up a stash at the following locations:
- Coastal Branch Library (directions)
- Commissioner Cindy Meadow's Office in Santa Rosa Beach (directions) 622-3059
- Courthouse Annex Lobby (directions)
- Tourist Development Council Welcome Center (directions)
For other Walton county locations to pick up the bags, go here.
You can also purchase bags at a store. The key is that the bag is blue so inmates can identify that the refuse is recyclables.
More Questions?
Contact Aaron Warren, Recycling Program Coordinator, 850-951-0551
■ Recycling Trailers
If you prefer to physically take your recyclables to a recycling trailer yourself (pre-sorted), here is a map/list (PDF) of locations where you can do that.
■ Trial Recycling Program Coming To South Walton
Here is a post about that.
■ Other Green Information for Residents (call 850-951-0551to find out locations and dates for these)
- Have used oil to dispose of? Drop it off at one of several Used Motor Oil Stations through out Walton County The oil is recycled and used for other purposes.
- Watch for These Special Days:
- Community Cleanup Days: Large garbage bins are placed throughout the county for those who need to safely and responsibly dispose of larger household items like furniture, white goods (dryers, refrigerators), tires, batteries, etc
- Amnesty Days: These days are scheduled twice a year for residents to dispose of toxic household chemicals, white goods, tires, computers, and other large materials.
- **NEW INFORMATION ADDED: The South Walton Mosquito Control Offices have a large dumpster on site where South Walton residents can dispose of metal items, electronics, and tires, free of charge!! They are located at 774 N. Highway 393 - Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. Phone is (850) 267-2112 and email ger@mchsi.com.
Related Posts:
Thanks for the info, Dana! So, the county is out of the bags? I am on my last bag. I will try to find out when they may be getting another shipment and post the info here.
Good for you for taking the bags yourself to the trailers. That isn't obsessive at all - it's being a good steward IMO :)
And, yes, I agree - it is counterintuitive to put recyclables into ANOTHER plastic bag which must be recycled as well but at least it is moving us into the right direction IMO; which is to get everyone into the habit of recycling. The inmates separate the trash for us right now - possibly this was a way to work within that model NOW, rather than having to wait to overhaul the entire program? Baby steps.
Plus, South Walton is supposed to be the guinea pig of a trial recycling program (see the link above under RELATED POSTS) that is much more 21st century and logical. I am anxious for that to begin and have been trying to find out more info. When I do, I will post.
Posted by: Jill G. | October 01, 2008 at 08:24 AM
I applaud you for making the blue bag program info available to more people. I had to search the internet for the phone numbers, then was told they were out of bags. I just continued to take my recyclables to the drop-off sites. Maybe this is a bit obsessive, but doesn't putting your recyclables in a plastic bag sort of defeat the purpose. Maybe the blue bags are recycled as well?? Maybe the local government can offer plastic recycle bins for a nominal fee to be purchased a local stores? JUST A THOUGHT...
Posted by: dana | September 30, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Thank you for the information concerning this program. Nice to know.
Posted by: Weatherall Fine Art | September 23, 2008 at 10:02 AM