CROSSVILLE —
The county recently submitted its solid waste report to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. In the past year, the county collected and landfilled 52,462 tons of waste. Another 6,067 tons of materials were collected and recycled. A total of 58,829 tons of waste were collected by the county.
The total recycled figure included 2,321 tons of sewer sludge because the waste material was put to beneficial use even though the county is not responsible for collecting the material. The county got the sewer sludge from the city’s wastewater operations and “recycled” it as a cover material for the Flynn Cove landfill, which is now closed.
If you deduct the sewer sludge tonnage from the total recycled, the county collected and recycled 3,746 tons of waste. This gives the county a recycling rate of 6.3 percent, which is greater than the state average of 4.6 percent. Our state, however, ranks eighth lowest nationally. The leading recycling states are California (40 percent), Oregon (31 percent), and Maine (28 percent). Louisiana comes in last with a .5 percent recycling rate.
Four hundred sixteen tons of wood debris products from construction and demolition wastes and 156 tons of wood pallets were removed from the waste stream for reuse. The county ground the wood and used it to control erosion at its now closed landfill. The county has started collecting Crossville Ceramics’ recycled materials, and the pallets are used to transport the recyclables from the plant.
There were 1,303 tons of corrugated paper collected along with 616 tons of newspaper. These were recycled along with 688 tons of tires, 409 tons of scrap iron, and 93 tons #1 and #2 plastics. Other recycled materials in smaller amounts included waste oil, car batteries, other metals, latex paint, transmission fluid, and antifreeze.
The county recycled 15 tons of mixed glass, thanks to the purchase of a glass pulverizer. Next year, that number will certainly increase. You can purchase the ground glass suitable for landscaping from the Recycling Center at $30 a ton.
It cost the county taxpayers $2,011,842 to landfill its waste, most of which could have been recycled. We need to turn taxpayers into recyclers so that our dollars stop flying out of the county coffers.
It cost $383,779 to operate the Recycling Center, but it generated $416,079 in sales of recycled materials. The Recycling Center paid for itself and conserved natural resources.
Our gratitude to the county for its recycling leadership.
If you have recycling questions, please let me know and I will try to get answers: lgorenflo@gmail.com.
Lifestyles
GIVING BACK: Take a look at state of our waste
- Lifestyles
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CCHS Class of 1963 congratulates Class of 2013
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Putt for the Cure miniature golf tournament a success
Kids of all ages enjoyed a fun outing of miniature golf Saturday at the first Putt for the Cure event, presented by Dr. Calley Jo Elsea of Cloudland Dental, to benefit the Upper Cumberland affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Players teams up with sponsors and host Pirates Plateau Golf Adventure to raise funds to help area women get needed screening exams, support patients and survivors, educate the public and support national research initiatives.
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Around the Town: Attendance is the Key to success in Cumberland County!
High school attendance is up and 10 cars have been given away. This is all thanks to some forward thinking educators along with Dave and Connie Kirk and the staff at Dave Kirk Automotive. This year marks the 10th anniversary, or a decade, of what the high school students call "Dave Kirk Drawing Day." Or, in layman's terms, some junior or senior from Cumberland County High School, Stone Memorial High School or Phoenix School wins a brand spanking new vehicle.
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End of another great year for Neighbors and Newcomers
Referred to as the "best little club on the mountain," Neighbors and Newcomers will be holding its last meeting of the year May 23. After a fun-filled, interesting and exciting year, the group will enjoy this end-of-the-year lunch at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds.
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Seniors to visit Sutton General Store May 18
On May 10, the members of the 127 Senior Center had a good time socializing, playing bingo, dominos and billiards. Numbers were called by Arlene Simmons, with the prizes furnished by Bob Folger, with State Farm Insurance.
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Marriage licenses
Published May 15, 2013.
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Pow-wow set for May 18-19
Everyone is invited to come attend the educational and cultural event, Pow-Wow on the Plateau "Honoring All Survivors" on May 18 and 19 at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds. There will be many Indian tribes and dance styles represented. Bert Cox will be the master of ceremonies.
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PLEASANT HILL RAMBLINGS: Therapy gym opens at Uplands
Functional Pathways, Inc. is the Uplands Village therapy provider for physical, occupational and speech therapy. A new therapy gym has been established in the renovated Apartment 4 at 23 Heritage Loop next door to the new home health care office and respite rooms. The Village and Fletcher residents will receive their therapy in the gym. Wharton Homes residents will have therapy in the Wharton therapy rooms.
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FAIR PARK: Crossville’s Got Talent is this Friday
Crossville really has so much talent in this area. Some is home grown, and others have decided to enjoy retiring in the county. The Fair Park Senior Center recently held auditions for the third annual Crossville’s Got Talent Show, and everyone who tried out did a great job, but the show is very limited to only two hours. So not all the people who tried out got to be in the show.
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PLATEAU GARDENING: Pruning pines
The time for spring pruning of pines is right now while new growth (commonly called "candles") is still pale green and flexible. Waiting until later in the season or using tools like hand-held or long-handled pruners doesn’t give good results.
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