ReWorks

VISION STATEMENT
Summit County will be a 'zero waste' community through leadership, education and engagement.

MISSION STATEMENT
ReWorks provides solutions and leadership to empower our community, institutions and businesses to develop and utilize environmentally sound, cost-effective recycling and waste management strategies.

Our History

The history of The Summit/Akron Solid Waste Management Authority (the 'Authority') begins with the inception of Ohio's new solid waste law that became effective on June 24, 1988, H.B. 592. The goals of H.B. 592 are to reduce the reliance on landfills and increase solid waste reuse, recycling, and waste minimization.

A County ordinance proposing the establishment of the Authority was introduced on March 6, 1989 and adopted on March 20, 1989. It was approved and enacted effective on March 28, 1989. The Authority was established in 1993 after the first solid waste plan was implemented.

It was the responsibility of the Authority to prepare the Solid Waste Management Plan with the interest of the health, safety and welfare of the Summit County residents in mind. The purpose of the Plan is to ensure that Summit County has at least ten years of acceptable solid waste disposable capacity, and to develop strategies for managing waste so that it will be prohibited from future landfill disposal.

The Authority is governed by a Board of 15 trustees representing the county, cities, townships, villages, the City of Akron, Health Departments, Mayor's Association and Citizen's At-Large.

The Authority is funded by a 'generation fee' that is collected for every ton of waste that is generated within Summit County. The fee is $5.00 and is used to fund the on-going, as well as, new programs of the Authority.

In an effort to better deliver on our mission while building awareness of our vision, SASWMA began doing business as ReWorks in February 2013.

SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING

The City of Akron provides curbside trash and recycling collection once a week to residents of one, two, and three family freestanding residential units.

REDUCE & REUSE

ReWorks provides access to a number of programs and events within Summit County to help residents to practice the 3R’s —Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. There are a number of other resources that can help you to manage your waste in an effort to achieve Zero Waste.

REDUCE WASTE BY SHOPPING SMARTER
When you go shopping you’re probably not thinking about the amount of trash that you will generate. But depending on which products you choose, that is at least partly what you're doing. By purchasing stuff that's over-packaged, disposable or of poor quality, your cash can soon end up as trash. Here are tips to help you shop smarter. +

IF YOU DON'T NEED IT DONATE IT
One person's trash is another person's treasure. Instead of discarding unwanted appliances, tools, or clothes, try selling or donating them. Not only will you be reducing waste, you'll be helping others. Local churches, community centers, thrift stores, schools, and nonprofit organizations may accept a variety of donated items, including used books, working electronics, and unneeded furniture.

PROGRAMS FOR BUSINESSES & INSTITUTIONS

Help reduce the amount of waste going to landfills — and potentially lower your organization’s garbage pickup costs — with ReWorks' Commercial Single Stream Recycling program.Programs include single stream recycling — including outdoor service containers, tips on how to reduce waste, a plan and materials for you to promote the program to employees and visitors, and much more.

These programs are available to all Summit County businesses and institutions.ReWorks assists businesses and institutions with sustainable waste management practices to reduce the amount of trash being thrown away at your facility, including:

• Solid waste audits and analysis of the results
• Waste contract review and guidance on how to structure an agreement to meet your needs

COMMERCIAL SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING

According to the National Recycling Coalition, the average American discards 7.5 lbs of garbage every day, putting pressure on our landfills, resources and environment. However, 60% of what we throw away can be recycled, rather than wasted or buried.

Reducing the amount of waste going to landfills has never been easier to achieve. Single Stream Recycling is the ability to recycle rigid plastics, cartons, glass, metal cans and mixed paper all in one container.

ReWorks' Single Stream Recycling Program offers the following services:

• 95 gallon Cart OR 2, 4, 8 cubic yard dumpster
• Training Session
• Educational Toolkit (Poster, Informational Sheets)
• Weekly Service (to qualified participants)

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

Certain types of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets, and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. While ReWorks’ Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Center (HHWRC) accepts numerous HHW, there are a limited number of items that require special handling or that can be recycled elsewhere during the months when our facility is closed.

Read product labels for disposal directions to reduce the risk of products exploding, igniting, leaking, mixing with other chemicals, or posing other hazards on the way to a disposal facility. Even empty containers of HHW can pose hazards because of the residual chemicals that might remain.

ACCEPTED HHW MATERIALS

• HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS
• GARAGE & WORKSHOP
• SCRAP TIRES
• PAINT & RELATED
• LAWN & GARDEN
• BATTERIES
• BEAUTY PRODUCTS