The wheels continue to move forward for plans by Carter County Proud.
Ed Jordan, founder of the organization, provided an update to members and talked about his time visiting with the Solid Waste Committee members recently to discuss having a fall cleanup and a possible free dump day to support this.
“It was recommended I meet with Commissioner Bobbie Dietz and Carter County Landfill Manager Benny Lyons to come up with a plan to help support this type of initiative,” Jordan said. “The board was very supportive of our plans but it is projected to cost the county an additional amount of money sponsor a free dumping day.”
Jordan commended the efforts of the landfill and reiterated the facility is a “pay as you throw” facility and uses multiple recycling programs to stay self-sustaining.
The different recycling locations within the county include:
• Carter County Solid Waste – 169 Landfill Road, Elizabethton. Open Monday through Friday (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Saturday (8 a.m. to noon)
• Carter County Recycling Center – 411 Cherokee Park Drive, Elizabethton. Outside recycling is open 24 hours a day. Inside the office is open Monday through Friday (8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
• Roan Mountain Convenience Center – 102 Old Rock Quarry Road, Roan Mountain. Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Little Milligan Convenience Center – 3682 Highway 321, Butler. Open Wednesday and Saturday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Watauga City Hall – 101 S Fourth St., Watauga. Open 24 hours a day.
• Elizabethton/Carter County locations – Mill Street/Lynn Ave., Tweetsie Trail/Lions Field and Pine Ridge Circle. Open 24 hours a day.
Each of the locations can take cardboard, newspapers, mixed paper, magazines, books, shredded paper, aluminum and metal cans, plastics (#1 & #2) and all types of shredder metal.
Microwaves, stoves, washers, dryers, refrigerators and water heaters are not accepted at strictly recycling-only locations but be can be disposed of at the Carter County Landfill, Roan Mountain and Little Milligan center or even at the main county recycling center on Cherokee Drive free of charge according to information provided by Jordan.
“The recycling program is absolutely free to our Carter County residents and helps pay for our landfill’s operation,” he said. “We want to help get the word out about these different sites for people who may not know about them. We’re hoping the community continues to support these different locations so that it may cut down on illegal litter and dumping in the county.”
Jordan also mentioned he received a letter from Terry Hubbard, with the Carter County Schools System, that showed support for the group to encourage education of litter problems within the community.
With all the different updates going on, Jordan announced CCP will hold a meeting on February 23 at 6 p.m. at Smokehouse BBQ Company near Happy Valley High School. The group will discuss the current status of becoming “Keep Carter County Beautiful” and hear from the IDEAS group, comprised of volunteers looking to help beautify the region.
Other plans moving forward includes a possible cleanup of the Tweetsie Trail around Earth Day. Jordan added the group will look at meeting with the trail’s maintenance workers and take the necessary steps in hosting a cleanup day.
For more information on the group, visit the Carter County Proud Facebook page online.