Zero Waste Inititative Resources

Recycling Guide for Athens and Hocking Counties!

Feasibility Study: Options for Improved Recycling in Athens & Hocking Counties

Feasibility Study: Options for Improved Recycling in Athens & Hocking Counties
Appendix A: Residential Recycling Survey Results
Appendix B: Summary of Findings – Community Recycling Forums
Appendix C: Case Studies – Select Rural Ohio Recycling Programs
Appendix D: Preliminary Materials Recovery Facility Feasibility Study
Appendix E: Memorandum of Understanding

Recycling Locations & Events

Don’t know where to recycle or safely dispose of an item? Consult our Recycling Guide

Quickly find the closest recycling center to you no matter where you are through Earth 911.

Recycling locations in Athens and Hocking Counties are available on the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District Web site: http://athenshockingrecycle.org/

April 29–May 8: ReUse Industries Make Move Out Matter (Gently used furniture, clothing, appliances, etc.)

Through April 30: Refrigerator and freezer recycling through AEP

Recycling drives for hard to recycle material in Athens and Hocking Counties are scheduled for the following dates in 2012:

Athens County- May 18, 2013 and October 19, 2013
Hocking County- May 18, 2013 and October 19, 2013

For more information visit http://athenshockingrecycle.org/, choose “schedules” and then “drive.”

Mapping of Illegal Dump Sites in Monday & Sunday Creek Watersheds

The Zero Waste Initiative is undertaking a project to create a thorough map of illegal dump sites in the Southeast Ohio region. We currently have the map and data for those sites in the Monday and Sunday Creek Watersheds available to download. These include areas in Perry, Athens, Hocking, and Morgan Counties. Please stay tuned as we expand our project throughout the region!

Map of Illegal Dump Sites

Database of Dump Site Attributes

Rental of Litter Cleanup Tools

The AOZWI has leather gloves and orange safety vests available to be borrowed for litter and dumpsite cleanups in the region. Please contact Andrea Reany at andrea@ruralaction.org or Steve Sherman at steve@ruralaction.org for more information.

The Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District also has pick-up sticks, litter grabbers, and road signs that can be borrowed for a cleanup. Please contact the District at (740) 797-4208 to check availability of these items.

Zero Waste Economy

In a zero waste economy, product development conserves natural resources, product design leads to reuse, repair, recycling or composting, and all discards become assets that benefit the people, the planet and the local economy.
Reaching zero waste–commonly defined as achieving a 90% waste diversion rate–is a long-term goal that will require collaboration amongst all parties: consumers, businesses, government, non-profit organizations and institutions.

Developing a zero waste economy will entirely change “business as usual.” Consumers will need to demand a new manufacturing standard and work with government officials to shift subsidies. Subsidies will support waste diversion and the development of recycling-based businesses. Private sector businesses and public and private institutions will educate consumers, encouraging them to consider a new cultural paradigm.

In this new cultural paradigm, waste no longer has an end point; it is not seen as something that just goes away. Rather, waste is a part of a closed loop system that mimics natural cycles. This new closed loop system will create jobs through resource recovery and redesign. Businesses will take back products at the end of their life cycles and community centers for the total recovery of unwanted goods will be accessible to all people.

A zero waste economy ultimately equals a healthy planet, healthy people and a vibrant local economy.