Recycling: Free tire collection, paper shredding events will be held in Centre County this fall

This month I would like to highlight two events we have coming up this fall. In addition, I was asked to explain why we collect recycling the way we do and I hope I can do that justice.

Free Tire Collection

Tires have been a problem in Centre County for a long time. They are illegally dumped over banks and in our woods, streams and valleys. To combat this problem, the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority is offering a one day, free tire collection event on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Centre County residents may bring their old tires to this event free of charge to be recycled. To help with event planning and traffic flow, residents must register online and pick a time to drop their tires off.

Online registration is quick and easy; the link to register can be found at www.centrecountyrecycles.org.

This free event is for Centre County residents only. Residents can bring up to 12 tires per reservation/time slot. We are accepting light truck and car tires only (with or without rims). The CCRRA is happy to provide this service to our residents.

Free Paper Shredding Event

The CCRRA is proud to partner with state Rep. Paul Takac’s office to offer a free paper shredding event. Centre County residents may bring paper documents, forms or other items that they would like shredded and destroyed. All shredded paper from this event will be recycled.

RSVP to RepTakac@pahouse.net, or call 814-308-0569. Please bring your items to the CCRRA on Saturday, Oct. 7 between 9 a.m.-noon and follow the signs to the drop off area. This event is for paper only; no plastic or credit cards. Containers will not be returned so place your items in a box or container that you do not want returned.

Recycling Collection Process Explained

Last month I thoroughly detailed “how” to recycle in Centre County. I was contacted by a resident asking “why” we collect the way that we do. Why do we hand sort items into our trucks? Why can’t all items arrive at our facility mixed together and then be processed that way?

We did study a move to single stream collection a few years ago. We hired a consulting firm who conducted a year-long study to determine whether we should change our program from curb separated to single stream collection.

After various route audits, data collection and numerous studies, the consulting firm determined that single stream collection was not the right option for our program. Centre County’s recycling program has high participation and very low contamination, which is important to get a strong recycled material market price/value. Diverting from current practices would have caused CCRRA huge expenses without a discernible benefit given the system works as well as it does. The final report can be found at www.centrecountyrecycles.org.

For an in-depth look at our facility, we offer free tours to the public. I love walking groups around our grounds and answering any questions they have.

As always, thanks for recycling!