Did you know that there’s a right way to recycle almost everything that we use in our homes, offices, and classrooms? SWACO’s website, RecycleRight.org can set you on the path to sustainability with information about what can go in your curbside cart, where you can drop off recycling if you don’t have curbside service, even how to dispose of harder-to-recycle items at the Recycling Convenience Center. Plastic-free July is a great opportunity to take a closer look at our relationship with plastic and explore simple ways to reduce plastic waste through smart recycling.
In Franklin County, the shape of your plastic item is your best guide to how to recycle it. If it’s a bottle, tub, jug, cup, or clamshell container, you can probably recycle it in your curbside cart or local recycling drop-off point.
Click below to learn more and see what kinds of plastics are not accepted for curbside recycling in Franklin County.
Sustainable Ways To Beat The Heat
This time of year can leave us all looking for ways to beat the heat without spending a fortune or contributing to climate change. Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between wilting in the heat or running your air conditioner all the time.
- Use ceiling fans instead of AC whenever practical.
- Open your windows at night and close the blinds in the morning– you can DIY or thrift blackout curtains to keep the whole house cool.
- Run dishwashers, dryers, and ovens in the morning or evening.
- Switch to breathable, secondhand bedding like cotton or linen.
- Infuse water or smoothies with leftover fruit, or freeze fruit overnight for a delightful and healthy cool treat tomorrow.
Freeze a wet washcloth to use as a cooling neck wrap.
Many Franklin County communities also operate public swimming pools in the summer. Check with your local community or look online to find one near you.
Plastic-Free July Refillery Rebate
Get Up to $25 Back When You Refill
This month, SWACO is partnering with City Folks General Store and the Rewash Refillery to offer customers 25% off their total purchase (up to $25) on reusable and refillable products. Click here to learn more.
Got A Question About The Landfill? Chad Has the Answers.
Chad Bellenie is an Environmental Project Administrator at SWACO, and he loves helping to answer questions that Franklin County residents have about how the landfill works. Click below to check out the latest Chad Chat about how much the landfill weighs, and follow SWACO on social media to keep up with all the latest episodes of Chad Chats. You can even comment or message us there with any questions you have about the landfill for Chad to answer.
Upcoming Events
Plastic-Free July Webinar
Looking for easy ways to reduce plastic waste at home? Celebrate Plastic-Free July with SWACO as we explore reusable cleaning swaps and other sustainable alternatives to common disposable products. Join us for a one-hour webinar on July 8th from noon to 1:00 p.m. for practical tips and tricks for reducing waste, saving resources, and incorporating reuse into your everyday routine. It’s a great way to supercharge your sustainability efforts. Click HERE for more information.
Mobile HHW Collection
If you’re like most folks, you’ve probably got a shelf in the garage or basement, or a stash under the sink of various hazardous chemicals and cleaning products, and it can be hard to know how to safely dispose of them. SWACO can help. Click below to learn about the permanent Household Hazardous Waste collection point and our upcoming mobile HHW collection event at 1550 Georgesville Rd. on July 18th. Click HERE for more information.
Sustainable Summer Events
The summer season is filled with fun family events, but those hundreds of get-togethers, concerts, festivals, fireworks displays, parades, and parties create a mountain or trash. Fortunately SWACO works with local planners to provide trash and recycling containers and signage so that more of that waste can get recycled or composted instead of ending up in the landfill. Click HERE to find a sustainable summer event near you this month.
