TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Starting on April 20 Vigo County residents will be able to recycle their paper products for free at the Vigo County Solid Waste facility.
Vigo County commissioners purchased a paper shredder after receiving a $8,500 grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Vigo County Commissioner, Chris Switzer, said they wanted to help lessen the amount of unnecessary trash sent to landfills.
“A lot of times people don’t know what to do with their paper and sometimes we do shredding but we do it through Midwest Fiber,” he said. “But now we can shred locally and then give it to Midwest Fiber and they’ll recycle it. It’s just a quick and easy way to make an impact on the community.”
Shikha Bhattacharyya is the executive director for ReTHINK, Inc., a facility in Terre Haute that offers recycling to members.
She said they’re pleased with the county commissioners’ decision.
“There has to be a place to recycle paper with all of the trees that we cut. Paper is recyclable indefinitely,” she said. “It belongs in the recycling bin. I hope now that everyone in Vigo County has access to this will at least be able to recycle at least their paper.”
Switzer said he’s proud of the county’s current efforts and hopes to create more opportunities in the near future.
“When it comes to plastics and having containers available to get rid of recyclables 8 to 4 everyday. We also have 3 or 4 other dumpsters at the solid waste where we can throw regular trash in,” Switzer said. “I think we’re taking major steps forward and leading the state when it comes to recycling. This is just another thing we can do to make our community better. “
Paper shredding will be available to all Vigo County residents every Tuesday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Vigo County Solid Waste building in Terre Haute.
