Two Computer Recycling events to be held January of 2010. The first will be held on January 9th and the second will be on January 23rd of 2010. On January 9th the event will take place from 9 AM to 3 PM at Farragut High School and on January 23 the event will be held at Chilhowee Park and will take place from 9 AM to 3 PM. More info at www.plugintoyourcommunity.info

The event's non-profit coordinators are supported by City Public Service Department, Knox County Solid Waste Office, Best Buy, WBIR TV, B97.5 and WOUT 91.9.

Last year, City and County residents took the opportunity to recycle their outdated computers at the Farragut High and Chilhowee Park. Over 3000 residents recycled 212 tons of computers and peripherals and TVs. Recycling this material is the equivalent to saving the energy use of 14 households a year, saving 1410 barrels of oil, 65.370 gallons of gasoline, and removing emissions from the air of 115 vehicles for a year. Besides the events, residents may still recycle their old computers at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 1033 Elm St. during regular business hours. Visit www.cityofknoxville.org/solidwaste/hazwaste.asp for more information.

Small and medium size businesses with 100 computers or less may take there computer systems to the Solid Waste Management Facility on W. Baxter and Elm St. during normal operation hours Monday through Friday. Businesses will be charged a flat fee of $7 per monitor, and $3 per PC and any peripherals to include keyboard, mouse, printer. A maximum of 25 computers per month will be accepted from any one businesses.

City Sponsors Backyard Composter and Rain Barrel Sale

Earth Machine composters will be on sale at less than half of the normal retail price on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the West Town Mall Parking Lot, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while supplies last.

The bins will be sold for $40.00, tax included (cash and checks only, please).

"We are offering the Earth Machine at a discounted price to encourage residents to compost table scraps, grass and leaves so that we can reduce the volume of yard debris and trash that is picked up and taken to the landfill," said Mayor Bill Haslam.

The Knoxville Recycling Coalition 525-9694 will be selling bins in limited number after the one day sale event.

This event is sponsored by: The City of Knoxville Public Service Department, WBIR-TV 10, Norseman Plastics, Knox County Solid Waste, and Earth Fare.

Systern Rain Barrels will be on sale at less than half of the normal retail price on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the West Town Mall parking lot, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while supplies last.

The barrels will be sold for $50.00, tax included (cash, checks and credit cards).

WHAT IS A RAIN BARREL?

A rain barrel is any type of container used to catch water flowing from a down spout. Rain barrels reduce the amount of storm water runoff by collecting roof runoff and storing the rainwater for future use.

BENEFITS OF USING A RAIN BARREL

They will help reduce peak water demands during the summer months.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT RAIN BARRELS

Rainwater can actually help improve the health of your gardens, lawn and trees. Rainwater is naturally "soft" and devoid of minerals, chlorine and other chemicals found in city water.
More Info: Recycling Drop Off Centers

Phone Book Recycling

Phone books will be collected during the months of December and January at participating Knox County schools. Call a school near you to find out if they are participating.

Thanks to our sponsors this year for making the program a great success including Knox County, Kroger's, and all those who donated phone books.

America Recycles Day - www.americarecyclesday.org

On November 14, 2009, Knoxvillians will once again be able to pledge to recycle and the chance to win a great prize. The City of Knoxville’s Solid Waste Section is helping sponsor America Recycles Day in Knoxville for City of Knoxville and Knox County residents. America Recycles Day in Knoxville will take place from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday, November 14th , at the new Earth Fare Store ,at 140 N Forest Park Blvd. just off Kingston Pike in Bearden.

The Theme for this year’s event is “Get a Crush on Recycling!”

Residents will be able to exchange their aluminum cans for THE CRUSHER, (an aluminum can crusher). On Saturday November 14th residents can bring their aluminum cans to Earth Fare from 10 AM to 2 PM. They will need to bring in 5 pounds or 150 aluminum cans and receive the Crusher from the Knoxville America Recycles Day Committee while supplies last.

Other ways residents can obtain The Crusher are: Register on site at the event at Earth Fare and take the ARD pledge to recycle during the coming year to be registered to win one of 10 Crushers to be given away by the committee or, try their skill at a bean bag toss with aluminum cans.

Get a Crush on Recycling is sponsored by the City of Knoxville and Knox County Solid Waste Offices, Keep Knoxville Beautiful, The Tennessee Valley Earth Partnership, the Knoxville Recycling Coalition, Waste Connections, Knoxville Police Department, Knox County Health Department, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Keep Blount Beautiful, the University of Tennessee’s Academy of Student Pharmacists, Alcoa, Make Big Orange Go Green, and Earth Fare.

Other events happening on site at Earth Fare are:

The City of Knoxville and County Solid Waste along with the County Health Department will be conducting a use household thermometer exchange.

The purpose of America Recycles Day is to increase awareness and to sign cards pledging to step up their current level of recycling.

Seventh Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony Scheduled for Flag Day Weekend

The city of Knoxville and Knox County, along with local businesses and organizations will sponsor a flag retirement ceremony on Saturday, June 14th. "The ceremony is an opportunity for Knox County and Knoxville residents to replace flags no longer fit for display in a patriotic and dignified manner," said Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale said, "The flags collected will be set ablaze in honor of the men and women This year the event will honor of the men and women POW and MIA’s who have proudly served our country during all wars and conflicts.” Over 1000 flags were collected during the year at collection centers, see below, in preparation for the event.

Public Law 94-344, known as the Flag Code, prescribes that the flag, when it is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. All flags collected will be placed on a ceremonial pyre and set ablaze in honor of area veterans who served in our armed forces, and in memory of those who have sacrificed their lives in the protection of our communities.

This year's ceremony is sponsored by The City of Knoxville, Keep Knoxville Beautiful, Knox County, Allen Sign Company, Elks. Lodge #160, Company D, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, United States Marine Corps Reserve, and WBIR CH-10.

During the rest of the year, flags may be dropped off at any of the eight Knox County Solid Waste and Recycling Convenience Centers, either location of Allen Signs, at 2408 Chapman Hwy or 8403 Kingston Pike, or at the Goodwill attended City of Knoxville Recycling Centers. Flags may also be taken to the offices of Knox County's Department of Engineering and Public Works, 205 West Baxter Avenue, or to the office of Keep Knoxville Beautiful, 100 S. Gay St, Suite 103.

Also see - http://www.cityofknoxville.org/solidwaste/flag.asp.

Make Every Day Earth Day

This coming year the City of Knoxville and Knox County, along with other environmental groups will sponsor an Earth Day Event, http://www.knox-earthfest.org at Pellessippi State Community College on April 17, 2010. Last year, EarthFest was the 10th major event of its kind in Knoxville, and it is estimated that 11,000 people attended. Over 100 exhibitors displayed environmental ideas and present educational information this past year. If you have any questions click the questions link on the knox-earthfest.org web site.
More Info: Protect the Planet