Health & Fitness
Patch Blogs: Recycling in North Canton
Is it just me, or do you also feel that twinge of guilt when you throw the cottage cheese container (marked as a No. 5 plastic) into the trash?
Last summer, using an on-line retailer, my husband and I purchased my first kayak. I was very excited about the prospect of joining my husband on the Nimisila Reservoir, particularly because I wanted an up-close view of the wildlife, such as the osprey and blue herons. However, when the kayak arrived, the joyous occasion was overshadowed by the huge, ominous piece of plastic it was wrapped in.
As my husband was trying to introduce me to the kayak’s features, etc. ... all I could think about was whether the plastic was going to end up in a landfill. The discovery that it was recyclable brought some sense of relief, but left me with a problem: Where in the North Canton area would I take No. 4 plastic for recycling?
I had already been experiencing moments of guilt for throwing away miscellaneous “other plastics” — those not marked either 1 or 2 — and knew I could not be responsible for throwing away a piece of plastic large enough to carpet a living room. The next day, an on-line search and several phone calls produced evidence to support my suspected fear: Stark County does not have facilities to collect “other plastics” from the general public. And, the Northeastern Ohio counties that do offer it, do so on a resident-only basis, with the exception of Mahoning County. (At their drop-off facilities they take the “other plastics” and anyone can use them — resident or not. Or, at least I have been told this over the phone.)
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North Canton’s curb-side recycling program is a great convenience and serves a very valuable purpose! Our community is very fortunate to have it! But, the residents of North Canton and Stark County need to have the opportunity to dispose of waste responsibly — all waste, including “the others."
Likewise, because this is our community, it is our responsibility to make this happen. So, let’s get started. What do you think about North Canton’s current recycling program? Do you think it needs to be improved? Do you feel concerned when you throw away a plastic cottage cheese container marked No. 5?