Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

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DeKalb County’s Single-Stream Curbside Recycling Program
DeKalb County recognizes recycling yields environmental and economic benefits for the community. DeKalb’s comprehensive recycling program allows county residents the opportunity to recycle a large variety of household materials conveniently.  Recycling saves valuable raw materials and cuts down on waste collection by diverting recyclables from the County’s Seminole Road Landfill.  More than half of the waste that goes to the landfill could have been recycled.

For more information on how to sign up for DeKalb County’s residential single-stream curbside recycling program, or to view accepted materials, please visit the DeKalb Recycles menu link.

Household Hazardous Waste
Leftover household products containing corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients are considered to be household hazardous waste (HHW).  Products such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when being disposed.  DeKalb County is proud to offer its residents an opportunity to recycle unwanted HHW every fall and spring, helping to divert harmful products from the County’s Seminole Road Landfill.  To date, the County has captured over 200,000 pounds of paint.

Improper disposal of HHW can include pouring them down the drain, dumping on the ground, into storm drains, or in some cases putting it out with the trash.  Improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health.

Information on the next Household Hazardous Waste event can be found on the Event Schedule menu link.

 Electronics Recycling
The county’s goal is to promote the recovery, reuse and recycling of obsolete electronic equipment, while diverting electronics from Seminole Road Landfill.  To date, DeKalb County has collected one million pounds of electronics from residents.

The county offers permanent drop-off sites that are open year round for residents' convenience to dispose of electronic materials:
     1.  Seminole Road Landfill
     2.  DeKalb County Sanitation Division's Central Transfer Station

For information on site locations, visit the DeKalb Recycles menu link.

recycle.gifRecycling Events
DeKalb County recycles.  Do You?

In order to capture all things recyclable, the Sanitation Division hosts several recycling events throughout the year.  Please visit the Event Schedule menu link for more information. November 15 is America Recycles Day.  America Recycles Day (ARD) is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling programs in the United States.  It's one day to inform, educate and get neighbors, friends and community leaders excited about what can be accomplished when everyone works together.

Compost and Mulch
The DeKalb County Sanitation Division collects separated yard trimmings from 176,000 residents on a weekly basis for composting and other beneficial uses. weaver.jpgComposting is an easy way to transform your landscape trimmings and your fruit and vegetable kitchen scraps into a dark, crumbly, sweet smelling soil amendment.  Gardeners refer to composting as “turning your garbage into gold” because it saves landfill space, conserves natural resources and improves soil quality.

Compost is recycling!  Composting saves money, lowering solid waste bills and replacing the need for commercial soil amendments.  It helps garden and container plants by improving the fertility and health of the soil and saves water by helping the soil hold moisture, and reduces water runoff.  It also benefits the environment by recycling valuable organic resources from yard trimmings.

For more information on materials to compost visit the Sanitation Division website.

DeKalb County’s Sanitation Division offers county residents FREE compost made from residential yard trimmings. To find a location for pick up, please click here.

Commercial Recycling

DeKalb County’s Sanitation Division provides corrugated cardboard recycling service and commingled recycling options to commercial entities upon request.  Customers are provided a 6 cubic yard container fitted for recycling of cardboard with the option for a smaller 55-gallon bin with commingled bags.

The Sanitation Division's Green Business Program rewards DeKalb County businesses for their outstanding achievements in environmental sustainability.  Through their corporate leadership, DeKalb-based businesses have a unique opportunity to be recognized for their environmental efforts by providing their business with commercial recycling, maintaining their businesses’ right of way and adopting a stretch of roadway.

The Green Business Program is an excellent way to participate in commercial recycling.  For more information on Commercial Recycling opportunities, please contact the Sanitation Division at (404) 294-2900.

Green Purchasing Policy

DeKalb County has a long standing commitment to good stewardship and sustainable purchasing policies.  On October 28, 2009 the DeKalb County CEO issued an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy.  This policy is an effort to spend taxpayer dollars on goods and services that minimize the negative effects on the environment and provide sound economic options.  Although primarily under the purview of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting, the policy encourages all departments to demonstrate leadership in pursuing sustainable practices in their operations.  Along with the county’s other energy conserving policies, the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy should create significant progress in achieving the goals of energy and natural resource conservation.  To view the ordinance, click here.

County Surplus Program - Fleet Division

DeKalb County’s Fleet Maintenance Division oversees the maintenance and repair of both conventional and alternative fueled vehicles offering many opportunities for change in pursuit of sustainable fleet management.  DeKalb County government recognizes the need to limit emissions, keeping DeKalb’s air cleaner, conserving the county’s consumption of fuel, while increasing the life of the engine.  Idle time in county vehicles is limited to five minutes except in cases of emergencies or extreme temperature.     
      
barrel.gifSignificant measures include:

  • Recycling parts and cleaner fluids
  • Used oil filters recycled for their metal
  • Recyclintg antifreeze
  • EPA-mandated storm receptors installed at two locations
  • Recapping used truck and trailer tires
  • Recycling metal, paper, cardboard, tires