Newcomers of Catawba Valley Tour Recycling Facility

HICKORY, NC (03/27/2017)…Ever wonder what happens to the contents of that blue container after the truck dumps them into its maw and drives away? Forty-two members of Newcomers of Catawba Valley found out when they toured the Republic Services recycling facility in Conover on Friday, March 24, 2017.

Republic manages the single-stream recycling program for Hickory and surrounding areas. This requires processing more than 4,000 TONS of materials each month from both residences and businesses. Some of the processed material is sold for further processing and some materials require payment to be hauled away; but in both cases the materials are not dumped into expensive and sometimes troublesome landfills. Prices and costs vary depending on economic factors downstream.

When asked about strange or unusual items turning up in the process, staff reported that three handguns have been found, one still loaded. When that happens, the line is stopped and police are called. In another instance a purse was mistakenly left with the container and was picked up. The truck was identified and when it arrived a special, gentler process was initiated and the purse was found intact, with all contents including an undamaged cell phone.

The single stream recycling program has substantially reduced solid waste disposal needs for the area, but residents are reminded not to include potentially hazardous waste such as batteries, paint, electronics, etc. and “tanglers” such as water hoses, bags, string, clothing; or trash such as yard waste, extremely heavy items and, of course, no organic or human wastes.

Newcomers of Catawba Valley is primarily a social organization which enables new and long-time residents of the region to meet and make friends and participate in a variety of social activities, including support of area charities and service programs. There are no limits on how long members may choose to participate in activities; no gender restrictions for participation, and new members are welcomed no matter how long they have lived in the region. For information about Newcomers of Catawba Valley see www.newcomersofcv.com.