A recycling revitalization is coming to the city of Jackson in the form of a Solid Waste Recycling Convenience Center. 

Councilmembers voted unanimously, 8-0, to pass the motion for the center at the Nov. 1 city meeting. While providing an affordable and accessible place for Jackson residents to manage what they’re throwing away, the recycling center is a big step in garnering a more eco-friendly environment.

What Jacksonians can expect

The recycling center will offer the opportunity for residents to properly dispose of plastics #1 (food containers, beverage bottles), plastics #2 (milk jugs, soap and detergent bottles), metals, cardboard and paper. 

“We have full confidence that the city-centered, supervised and free convenience center drop-off will provide access to the recycling of those items,” recycling coordinator Robin Chance said. “Our mission for that is to provide a sustainable and cost-effective option for recycling needs.”

The city-centered convenience center on Conalco Drive will be managed by two part-time positions, who will aid residents with answering questions and understanding categorization of recyclables, according to Chance. 

“The end goal is curbside recycling,” said Mayor Scott Conger.

What’s considered recyclable?  

Though the recycling center does not currently offer curbside recycling, it would provide what the other local convenience centers don’t — contamination-free recycling. 

If plastics and cardboard boxes are contaminated with matter such as oil or food, the items can no longer be processed normally after disposal, due to the quality of its recyclability being compromised. 

“I didn’t realize that pizza boxes were not recyclable because they have organic material in them,” Conger said.

Tidbits of knowledge in understanding what happens to your greasy pizza box after it’s thrown it why education is at the forefront of this recycling initiative, Conger said. From local community centers to schools, it’s about teaching and working through what can and can not be recycled, he explained.

Conger also noted that this educational push is ultimately aiding in the goal of eventual curbside recycling.  

More about recycling

Lack of recycling options is not a problem exclusive to Jackson. Every year, Tennessee as a whole discards $180 million worth of materials that can be recycled, according to the Tennessee Environmental Council. 

Because most of this material inevitably ends up in landfills, environmental repercussions like compromised air and water quality inherently effect the surrounding communities, according to state reports.

The recycling center will be open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch. Saturday hours will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., also closed from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.