Athens and Hocking counties accumulated almost 51,000 tons of solid waste in 2008. Of that, about 3,330 tons of trash were recycled last year - 6 percent.
The joint waste management district for Athens and Hocking counties recycled only 4 percent of waste in 2007, making it the second-worst of Ohio's 52 solid-waste districts, according to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's most recent numbers.
But officials with the Ohio EPA said the Athens area is progressive with recycling efforts, and these statistics were gathered through a voluntary survey that does not represent the district as a whole.
We always caution folks when comparing those statistics because they are frequently apples to oranges comparisons
said Andrew Booker, supervisor of solid waste with a specialization in landfills and recycling for the Ohio EPA.
Booker said that although solid-waste management sites have to report to the EPA, it could be hard to get exact numbers.
All the solid waste districts in Ohio are required to report their recycling activities. They don't have the authority to require anyone to contact them; they contact local communities and businesses to gather data on their recycling activities Booker said, adding that sometimes the centers do not get responses.
Booker said Athens is a forerunner in Southeastern Ohio recycling.
The city of Athens is kind of positioned uniquely to be a leader in this area of recycling Booker said. Southeast Ohio and the rural parts face additional challenges
so it's important that there are some communities that take a leadership role
and I think Athens has always been a community in the environment.
Erin Strouse, spokeswoman for the Ohio EPA, said Athens has some innovative programs that promote recycling, but because it is an area with a transient student population
it can be difficult to put those into action.
There are certainly challenges that come with certain populations
like rentals and students housing
Strouse said.
Roger Bail, coordinator for Athens-Hocking Joint Solid Waste, said the recycling program offers curbside pick-up for $2.50 a month.
Bail also said that because Southeastern Ohio is a rural area, it could be hard to gather recyclable materials.
Our program is a pretty good program and I would like to see it develop and expand
he said, but because it's such a rural area geographically
it's challenging because houses are so far apart.
