Earth Day was in April, but recycling and conversation is important year-round. In celebration of Earth Day 2010, the City of Westerville hosted the inaugural Plan-It Green expo, a gathering of community organizations and efforts that support and promote these important objectives.

Plan-It Green was initiated by the city’s “Green Team,” a staff-comprised committee that formed in 2009 with the charge to lead city efforts in reducing its carbon footprint and impact on the environment. This event was designed in recognition of Earth Day, and to increase awareness of all the activities, programs and initiatives in our community that focus on conservation, recycling and environmentally-friendly practices.

“Plan-It Green has a dual meaning for this community,” says Andy Boatright, chairperson of the Green Team. “It’s an event that we hope gains momentum each year and continues to attract our residents to learn more about what’s happening here at home, and it’s also a concept we want to take hold in the community. By planning and taking a little extra time and attention, we can contribute even more to our conservation and recycling objectives.”

A simple activity you can do at home is plan your weekly recycling for curbside pick-up. The recycling program in Westerville is no additional cost to residents, and has had increased success. Last year, Westerville residents recycled more than 63 tons a week, for a total of more than 3,844 tons of recyclable products in 2009. That’s more than 7.6 million pounds of waste annually that’s being re-used and staying out of local landfills.

“We are seeing incremental progress in recycling each year in this community,” says Service Director Frank Wiseman. “And it’s designed to be easy and convenient for residents. There is no need to separate items. Paper can be co-mingled with plastics and other products.”

As an annual reminder, the list below includes items that are acceptable for residential recycling. Anyone with questions about Westerville recycling should call 614-901-6740 for assistance.

“We owe it to future generations to continue our commitment to recycling and look for even more solutions for keeping Westerville friendly to the environment,” Wiseman says.

Acceptable Materials for Recycling:
Newspaper, including all inserts
Magazines
Catalogs
Mail and envelopes (with and without windows)
Computer paper
Brown paper bags
Paperboard (i.e. cereal boxes)
Cardboard boxes (broken down into 3 feet by 3 feet sections)
Telephone books
Plastic bottles #1-7 (check the bottom of the container/item or the number near the recycling icon)
Glass bottles and jars
Aluminum cans, siding and gutters
Steel soup, food and aerosol cans