SWACO’s Recycling Convenience Center Adds Prescription Pill Bottles and Removes Fees for Paint

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): SWACO’s Recycling Convenience Center opened in November 2023 as the first-of-its-kind facility in Franklin County to accept hard to recycle household items like tires, batteries, food waste and Styrofoam. As the Center celebrates its first year in operation, which coincides with America Recycles Day (November 15), SWACO is making the center even easier and more convenient for residents to use by removing paint fees and expanding the list of materials accepted.

In addition to all the other items accepted, the center will also now collect plastic prescription pill bottles from residents for recycling. While over-the-counter pill bottles can be recycled in curbside recycling carts, plastic prescription bottles and their lids are not accepted curbside. Plastic prescription bottles brought to the Recycling Convenience Center should be empty, and the bottles will be recycled with Industrial Recyclers in Sydney, Ohio.

In addition to the expanded list of materials accepted, SWACO is removing the $1 per can fee previously charged for the recycling of household latex paint. Now latex and all other household paint are accepted for free from residents.  “Central Ohio residents and families lead busy lives so it’s important to us to offer them recycling opportunities that are quick and easy-to-do,” said Joe Lombardi, Executive Director. “The Recycling Convenience Center offers all of that. It’s a one-stop drop off location for many hard-to-recycle items they have around their homes and with this additional expansion, we’re making it possible for them to recycle even more items.”

Finally, the center is accepting several seasonal items this year including political yard signs and the accompany metal stands, pumpkins and gourds, outdoor and holiday string lights, live evergreen trees, wreaths and garland (free from decoration) and leaves. These items will be collected annually during the seasons in which they’re in demand.

•          Bagged Leaves will be accepted Oct. 1 though Jan. 31 (paper bags only, no plastic bags)
•          Pumpkins and Gourds will be accepted Oct. 1 though Dec. (free of candles and lights)
•          Political Yard Signs (paper, plastic and metal stands) will be accepted throughout November
•          Live Holiday Trees and Greenery free of decorations, tinsel and plastic will be accepted Dec. 12 though Jan. 31
•          Holiday String Lights are accepted year-round in the bins marked for electronic or e-Waste.

This most recent expansion of materials accepted at the center follows an earlier announcement made in April 2024 at which time SWACO began accepting large computer monitors and more household hazardous waste such as oil-based spray paints. Since opening a year ago, the center has helped over 2,000 customers to divert more than 190,000 pounds of material from the landfill, the equivalent of six school buses.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com