“During this last election campaign, as well as my first, I heard from many Hernando residents that said they wanted the city to offer curbside recycling. We have come up with what I think is a good, convenient program at a reasonable cost.”

Households that participate in the program would receive a single bin in which to place paper, cardboard, plastic containers, cans, and glass items. The items would be picked up every other week on the regular pick-up day for that area of the city.

Avid recyclers have the option of purchasing additional bins at $7 apiece. The household pick up rate remains the same regardless of the number of recycling bins used.

Residents who would like to indicate their interest in the program are asked to call Mayor Johnson’s office at 662-429-9092, e-mail him at mayor@cityofhernando.org, or e-mail their alderman. E-mail addresses for the aldermen are listed on the city’s website, www.cityofhernando.org. Residents may also sign a list at City Hall or the Gale Community Center.

“Improving the environment and saving energy starts at home. It is the right thing to do and many Hernando residents would like to be able to participate in doing the right thing,” noted Johnson.

Recycling conserves natural resources, saves landfill space, conserves energy (recycled aluminum, for example, takes 95 percent less energy than new aluminum from bauxite ore), and reduces water and air pollution. Everything that goes into a landfill stays there, taking up space.

As waste breaks down—which can take hundreds of years—it releases the greenhouse gas methane and can emit many toxic pollutants into the water table.

Keeping recyclable items out of the landfills keeps air and water cleaner, reduces the need for Mississippi to build new or expanded landfills, and conserves resources by putting existing materials back to good use.