Announcements:
Changes to Residential Curbside Waste Collection
State law requires the Board of County Commissioners to adopt and implement a county-wide Solid Waste Management Plan that ensures all residents and businesses have access to adequate waste management services. The new Code implements several waste reduction recommendations in the county’s 2007 Plan.
The changes include:
- Yard waste will need to be collected separately for composting by January 1, 2011.
- Recycling will be provided in the base rate of all waste removal services by January 1, 2011.
- Volume based pricing will be implemented by January 1, 2012.
For more information view our Frequently Asked Questions form or more details on the Plan.
Why hop to it?
Landfills in our region are filling up fast! If we continue to throw away trash at the current rate, the Johnson County Landfill will be full in less than 20 years, if not sooner. It’s important to look at our waste as a resource, not just trash filling up a landfill! It’s time to hop to it and start recycling!
Here are the top four things filling up the landfill:
1. Paper – 42% of our trash is paper fibers that can easily be recycled!. All those boxes and office papers ending up in the Johnson County landfill equates to 3.5 million trees per year! Want to cut your trash practically in half? Click here and hop to it!
2. Food – 16% of our landfill is food waste. Composting is an easy and inexpensive way to reduce food waste. Leap into composting; it is great for gardens and lawns.
3. Plastics – All kinds of plastics, including plastic drink bottles and plastic bags make up 13% of our waste. We can reduce our waste by using reusable drink bottles and reusable grocery bags. Jump into reuse. Most curbside recycling programs in the county are now accepting more food-grade plastics than ever before, so start hopping!
4. Yard Waste – 11% of our landfill is yard waste. Grass clippings, leaves and other yard debris can be mulched or composted and put back onto the Earth in our gardens and yards! Jump into composting and grasscycling! You can save time and money.
By recycling, reusing and reducing we are helping our planet, consuming less raw materials, and saving energy.