Recycling Fair 2013

On Saturday, Jan. 12^th the St. Marys EarthKeepers hosted our first Recycling Fair.

We’ve held electronics (“e-scrap”) events in the past but this time we decided to expand the scope of materials and included paper-shredding services and household hazardous waste collection.

The event succeeded beyond our wildest expectations. It was scheduled for 10am-4pm and yet cars and trucks began streaming into the St. Marys Aquatic Park at 9:15. The exact numbers aren’t in yet, but the staff of the companies involved estimated the following:

Electronics: 14 tons

Paper: 9,500 lbs

Household Hazardous Waste: 12.27 tons. (One county truck  - filled twice, with thanks to Mr. Street - and two large Public Works trucks were required.

My sincere thanks to the members of the EarthKeepers Board who hauled paint cans and toxic chemicals for six straight hours. Of particular note: Linda Callaway, Bob Nutter, Michael Kearns, Dick Russell and Gale Lizana. Others chipped in when they could (Jan Meriwether and Ray Valente) but those five went the distance - plus some. Quite literally, tons of paint and noxious chemicals formed a mountainous pile on the parking lot and these intrepid volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got the job done: sorting, hauling and filling trucks.

I would also like to thank City Manager Steve Crowell for so quickly responding to our "call for help" when it became apparent that the hazardous waste collected was simply too much for the county vehicle to hold. A standing ovation for Jeff Berg, Emanuel Angheluta, Shaun Maguire, and Baxter Lee, the Public Works employees who came to our rescue with two more large trucks.

Our gratitude also goes out to St. Marys City Council, Kbay Radio, the DDA Scoop and, above all, The Tribune & Georgian for their invaluable assistance with promoting this event. All electronics and paper will be 100% recycled, thus sparing the additional burden on our landfill site.

To Lannie Brant, Camden County Director of Solid Waste: my apologies, sir, for the overwhelming amount of “hazardous” material that must now be sorted. It is a great relief to know that a huge number of homes, sheds and garages are no longer filled with materials that present a fire/health hazard.

Most of all, though, our heartfelt thanks to the citizens of St. Marys and surrounding area. You took the time to sort through your homes and offices, load it all into your vehicles and bring it to us. Not only that but your generous donations have ensured that the St. Marys EarthKeepers can continue to do our utmost to protect our extraordinary and fragile environment. It is because of all of you that we’ve been able to make such a difference – from curbside recycling to educational programs, community clean-ups and Recycling Fairs. You can reach us at www.stmarysearthkeepers.com (or contact me directly). We welcome your questions, suggestions and support.

Alex Kearns