Billboard Design Contest for Middle School Students Underway

2011 America Recycles Day Billboard Design Contest

DALTON, GA – Recycling Ben, mascot for the Target Recycling Program, and the recycling team at the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority are delighted to announce the 2nd Annual America Recycles Day Billboard Design Contest.  The art contest is for students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade in Whitfield County schools that recycle with Target Recycling.  Middle Schoolers are asked to design artwork for a billboard with a recycling theme in keeping with America Recycles Day that is celebrated on November 15.  The winning design will be displayed for at least four weeks on two billboards in Whitfield County.

During the inaugural competition in 2010, Dalton Middle School 7th grader, Esmeralda Perez won first place overall.  Her billboard design simply stated “I Will Recycle” and included the America Recycles Day slogan, “I Recycle”.  The suggested billboard themes for the 2011 contest are, “Let’s Target Recycling Together”, “I Recycle. Do You?” and “Recycle, it’s the natural thing to do.”  Click the image above to download the guide.

Local Drivers Score at International Road-E-O

Eddie Ashe maneuvers the dozer through the equipment obstacle course at the 2011 International SWANA Road-E-O.

A Road-E-O judge measures the distance between the Front Loader and the rail to determine the accuracy of driver Chad Shook during the competition.

Road-E-O judges prepare to measure the parking accuracy of driver Jeremy Flood during the international competition in Dublin, GA.

Marlon Cole guides a barrel through part of the obstacle course for the Rubber Tired Loader as Road-E-O judges look on.

DALTON, GA – Four members of the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority staff participated in, and one took top honors, at the Solid Waste Association of North America’s International Road-E-O for landfill equipment and truck operators.  On September 3rd, solid waste professionals from all across North America arrived at the Southern Pine Ag & Expo Center in Dublin, GA to prove their skills in special obstacle courses, and test their knowledge with written tests.  Each participant had to prequalify at the state level Road-E-O before being invited to the international level.  Competition at the 2011 SWANA International Road-E-O was described as “intense” by the Road-E-O judges as 107 of the solid waste industry’s best drivers, mechanics, and operators competed for the best scores in the nation.

The competition was divided into two major categories highlighting specific types of equipment. The Equipment and Mechanic Competition showcases skills with the Dozer, ADT Articulated Dump Truck, Rubber Tired Loader, Compactor, and general Mechanics.  While the Truck Competition tested the Rear Loader, Front Loader, Side Loader, Roll-Off, and Tractor Trailer.  The top three finishers in each category took home trophies and bragging rights as the best-of-the-best in the business.  “Top Gun” awards were made to the top finishers in the truck and equipment competitions.

Local participants included Marlon Cole - Rubber Tired Loader, Eddie Ashe - Dozer, Chad Shook – Front Loader, and Jeremy Flood – Roll-Off.  Each first participated in the Georgia SWANA Road-E-O in May placing in the top two of their respective categories, while Ashe also placed first overall in the Equipment Competition.  At the International SWANA they participated in the same categories pitting their skills against drivers from as far away as the state of Oregon.  Front Loader driver, Chad Shook, had an excellent course time but did not place in the top three.  Roll-Off driver, Jeremy Flood, placed sixth overall with an impressive course time as well.  Road-E-O Dozer operator, Eddie Ashe, placed third overall receiving a trophy.  The competition in the dozer category was so close that the course time had to be used as a tiebreaker.  Rubber Tired Loader operator, Marlon Cole, also received a trophy after placing first overall with a perfect obstacle course score.  High scores on the obstacle course and written test earned him the title of “Top Gun” in the Equipment and Mechanic Competition.

Georgia and the 2011 SWANA International Road-E-O were rewarded with performances from the best-of-the-best drivers, mechanics and operators in the solid waste industry.  The Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority is proud to have some of the best in the country on board.

Glass, It’s Endlessly Recyclable

Recycling and Education Program Coordinator, Liz Swafford, invites you to recycle glass bottles and jars to celebrate Recycle Glass Month this September.

DALTON, GA – Whitfield County residents are invited to recycle their glass bottles and jars in celebration of Recycle Glass Month during September. Glass is 100% and endlessly recyclable, according to the Glass Packaging Institute or GPI. In fact, a glass container can go from a recycling bin to a store shelf in as little as 30 days. Recycling just one glass bottle saves enough energy to light a compact fluorescent light bulb for 20 hours.

Recycling is the process of taking a product at the end of its useful life and using all or part of it to create a new product. 80% of glass containers collected for recycling are made into new containers. While the rest of the glass, called cullet, is used in the production of glass tiles, glass jewelry, glass gravel or rocks, and more. The recycling process begins only when an individual drops-off their items for recycling at a local Convenience Center or puts them in a curbside bin for collection.

Here are some tips for recycling glass in Whitfield County:

1. Recycle glass containers only. Make sure you are recycling glass bottles and jars that are clear, brown, green, or blue. These would be your typical food jars and drink bottles. Do not include any non-container glass like glass drinking cups, mirrors, and glass bake ware.

2. Rinse with water. Rinse out bottles and jars to remove food residue. It’s ok to leave the labels on the containers.

3. Know where to recycle. Depending on where you live you can recycle glass at a Convenience Center or with the City of Dalton Curbside Recycling Program.

Convenience Centers managed by the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority have garbage drop-off areas and recycling drop-off areas with a specific container for glass bottles. There are four locations to choose from that are open to all county residents no matter what city they live in. They include the Old Dixie Hwy. Landfill and Convenience Center in the south end of the county, Westside in Rocky Face, M.L.King Blvd. in Dalton, and McGaughey Chapel in Cohutta. For more details call 706-278-5001 or visit www.DWSWA.org and click on Convenience Centers.

Glass recycling is also available through the City of Dalton Curbside Recycling program that is for Dalton residents in single-family homes of three units or less. If you have trash pickup by the City of Dalton Public Works department you probably qualify for curbside service that includes a blue 18-gallon recycling bin. Simply add the glass containers to your recycling bin and take it to the curb on your designated day. For questions about curbside call the Public Works Department at 706-278-7077. 

B.S.A. Troop 65 Prepares Outdoor Classroom

Pictured is Eagle Scout candidate Drew Kite (center) with his parents, Kelly Kite and B.J. Kite, Scout Master for Troop 65, Frank Fetzer, and Norman Barashick, Executive Director at the DWSWA who presented them with Certificates of Appreciation for their work on the Outdoor Classroom.

The Outdoor Classroom at the Recycling Center is an extension of the current Environmental Education program available at the facility.  B.S.A. Troop 65 updated the area over the summer converting it into a useable outdoor space for learning.

DALTON, GA – Eagle Scout candidate Drew Kite and members of Boy Scouts of America Troop 65 prepared an outdoor classroom area at the Recycling Center managed by the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority during the summer.  With the direction of Drew Kite participants transformed a neglected barn structure into a useable educational space outdoors complete with a butterfly garden.  While some scouts put together a composter and rain barrel, others cleaned out the barn even removing trash and debris.  Planters were painted and planted with potatoes vines and petunias, tree stumps were converted into stools, and a container garden with herbs was established.

Drew Kite and B.S.A. Troop 65 were recognized for their efforts in making the outdoor classroom a reality during the July board meeting of the DWSWA.  They received certificates of appreciation and saw the plaque that was later placed on the barn structure recognizing their contribution through the Eagle Scout Project organized by Kite.

The Outdoor Classroom is an extension of the current Environmental Education program provided by the Solid Waste Authority and Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful.   Schools that visit the facility for the recycling and landfill tour will be able to add outdoor activities with themes like water conservation, composting, and the human impact on the environment.  For more information about the program call the Recycling Center at 706-278-5001.

Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority Featured in Dalton Magazine’s first Green Issue

The Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority is featured in the September - October 2011 edition of Dalton Magazine as part of the first ever Green Issue.  An article titled "A dump? Not even close." written by Jane Harrell, has an overview of all of the DWSWA’s green programs including the Recycling Center.  “It is a top notch recycling service with a materials recovery facility, or recycling center, at its primary facility off South Dixie Highway,” wrote Harrell. “The recycling center enables recyclables collected in the area to be sorted, processed and then sent out to manufacturers that use the recyclable to make new products.”

Recycling and Education Program Coordinator, Liz Swafford, is on the cover of the magazine holding an office recycling bin full of recyclables.  The background in the photo is a large pile of mixed paper waiting to be processed for recycling.  An article titled "It's not that hard being green: At home and at work, residents do their part to benefit the planet" by Connie Hall-Scott includes an interview with Swafford and several residents. This article includes several recycling facts from the DWSWA website like, “A used aluminum can is recycled and back on the shelf as a new can in as little as 60 days.”

A photo of carpet separated at the DWSWA for recycling on page 32 and 33 serves as the beginning of an article about the green initiatives in the floor covering industry.  Also mentioned in Dalton Magazine are more green programs managed by the DWSWA including Landfill Gas to Energy, the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, and the Conasauga River Mitigation Bank.

The magazine is available online as an e-edition at www.daltonmagazine.com and in newsstands throughout Dalton.  For more information about recycling in Whitfield County visit www.DWSWA.org or call the Dalton-Whitfield Recycling Center at 706-278-5001.

Here's a list of highlights from this issue:

• Recycling and Education Program Coordinator, Liz Swafford, is on the cover of the magazine holding an office recycling bin full of recyclables.  The background in the photo is the pile of mixed paper at the recycling center.   On the Cover credits are on page 5. 

• Page 8 and 9, Jane's Report, is an article titled "A dump? Not even close." written by Jane Harrell. It includes some historical background information and a review of all the DWSWA programs like Convenience Centers, Recycling Center, and the Landfill Gas to Energy Project. There are also two pictures from the Recycling Center.

• Page 10 to 17 is an article titled "It's not that hard being green: At home and at work, residents do their part to benefit the planet" by Connie Hall-Scott.  Liz S. and several residents were interviewed for the article that includes recycling facts from the DWSWA, green living tips, and extra photos.

• Page 32 and 33 are the beginning of the article about the green initiatives in the floor covering industry.  The photo is carpet being separated at the DWSWA for recycling.

• Page 39 is a half page ad encouraging readers to recycle in Dalton-Whitfield.