Solid Waste & Recycling
OUR MISSION
The Independence County Solid Waste Division mission is to provide quality and environmentally sound solid waste program for the residents of Independence County by using an integrated approach of waste reduction, recycling, disposal and education.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The Independence County Recycling Center’s operating hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Located off of U.S Hwy 167 North on 110 Environmental Drive.
What Can I Recycle?
The Independence County Recycling facility will pick up the following materials at your residence:
PLASTICS
Soft drink bottles; and milk jugs, juice and food containers, detergent bottles, shampoos, lotions, and household cleaners with a “neck”.
Remove and discard caps or lids, leave labels on, empty contents and rinse, crush (to save space).
METALS
Food, beverage, and juice cans, empty aerosol cans, paint cans (emptied and dry), and other similar household metals.
Empty and rinse thoroughly, leave labels on.
PAPER
Newsprint, telephone books, slick magazines, catalogs, and office paper (call for specifications on office paper).
Keep clean, dry, and neatly stacked (these may be tied).
CARDBOARD
Corrugated cardboard boxes, brown grocery bags, cereal, gift, shoe, and detergent boxes.
Flatten boxes before putting out for recycling.
Materials may also be brought to the recycling center in bags or boxes. Brown paper bags or corrugates cardboard boxes are preferred because they are recyclable. Items may be dropped off at any time at our 24 hour drop off. Used oil filters may be brought to the center in leak proof containers.
Days of Pick-up
Monday- Newark
North of White River West of Highway 167
Tuesday- Eagle Mountain, East Side, Spring Valley
North of White River East of Highway 167
Wednesday- Moorefield, Quail Valley, College Heights, Golf Addition
South of White River West of Highway 167
Thursday- Westside
South of White River East of 167
Recycling inside the city limits of Batesville will be picked up on the scheduled trash pick-up day.
Staff
| Coordinator and Public Educator | Claudette Jones |
| Recycling Center's Plant Manager | Terry Hastings |
| Recycling Center's Plant Supervisor | Larry Scott |
| City Cardboard Driver | Gene Arnold |
| City Cardboard Driver | Bill Arnold |
| City Curbside Driver | Eric Hedges |
| City Business Recycling Pick-up | Freddie Bradley |
| County Curbside Driver | Donna Fair |
| County Curbside Driver | Joe Huss |
| County Curbside Driver | Troy Middleton |
| Billing Clerk | Lindsey Calhoun |
WASTE REDUCTION AND REUSE
The simplest way to manage waste is not to create it in the first place. That's the idea behind waste reduction and reuse. Households, businesses, industries and governments can all make adjustments in everyday activities that result in less waste. One of the easiest things to do is pay attention to what you buy. Is there a lot of excess packaging? Is the container or the product reusable or recyclable? How much stuff are you paying for that you have to throw away?
Businesses and industries can really help with waste reduction efforts. Independence County Recycling Program can provide one-on-one technical assistance on waste reduction to any business, industry, school or government that requests it at no charge.
If you are interested in learning more about waste reduction efforts or would like to schedule a waste reduction evaluation, contact Claudette Parks with the County Judge’s Office (870) 793-8800.
RECYCLING
Recycling is taking a material, processing it and remanufacturing it into another product....SIMPLE! The most commonly recycled items are metals, paper, and plastic. With enough time and money, nearly everything could be recycled, just not economically. We have to remember that, start to finish, recycling is a manufacturing process. We are creating a raw material that must meet certain specifications. Materials must be sorted and cleaned before they can be used again to make new products.
REMEMBER THAT RECYCLING IS A MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS, YOU HAVE TO BUY RECYCLED PRODUCTS!!!
EDUCATION
Education is vital to the success of soled waste management and recycling. Independence County Recycling Center and White River Planning and Development District are committed to working with local schools to teach our children about proper waste management. In addition, we must not forget that the general public also needs a good understanding of waste management issues that affect our lives in so many ways.
School-Based Education
Independence County and White River Planning and Development District have a variety of resources available to teachers within Independence County. To better educate their students on waste management issues. Some of these resources include:
- A Public Education Coordinator available to provide school programs at no cost to the schools.
- White River Planning and Development District (WRPDD) have a library of educational materials that may be checked out for use in the schools.
- WRPDD holds teachers workshops providing teachers with curriculum activities designed to integrate solid waste education into daily classroom experiences.
- Technical assistance for local schools to assist with the design and implementation recycling program that fits their needs and meet ACT 749 compliance.
- For more information or to request any of the resources listed above, call the Independence County Judge's Office or White River Planning and Development District (870) 793-5233.
LOCAL EDUCATORS
WRPDD provides support for a local educator based in Independence County. The local educators work directly with schools to assist teachers with solid waste and recycling curriculums.
District Educator
Sarah Sexton
WRPDD
(870) 793-5233
County Educator
Claudette Parks
Independence County Recycling Center
(870) 793-8800
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Independence County provides ongoing training opportunities available to the public.
- Speakers available to do programs on a variety of solid waste related topics.
- Independence County participates in the county fair and community events by setting up education displays.
- Independence County has a series of brochures about solid waste topics and recycling programs.
If you would like more information about any of these services, including copies of publications, speakers or a fair/event display, contact Claudette Parks in the County Judge’s Office (870) 793-8800 or Sarah Sexton with WRPDD (870) 793-5233.