The county is increasing its recycling efforts, and has partnered with America’s Thrift store to accept gently used clothing, toys, furniture, household goods and other items to help support six charities whose mission is to improve the lives of children with critical illnesses and those affected by addition.
America’s Thrift Store charity partners include Make-A-Wish Alabama, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Home of Grace, Adult & Teen Challenge Mid-South, Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee, and Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge.
In a press release, County Mayor Matt Adcock stated, “I am very pleased in seeing the hard efforts that Brian Reed, DeKalb County's new Public Works Director (Formerly recognized as Solid Waste Director position), has engaged in since his inception into the new role. Director Reed's ambition to go above and beyond has really shown in recent events and in the changes to our convenience sites.”
“You may have noticed the recycling bins that have popped up throughout the county. Thanks to Brian, DeKalb County has participated with the America's Thrift Store in donations. America Thrift Store partners with multiple charities including Make-A-Wish Alabama, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Home of Grace, Adult & Teen Challenge Mid-South, Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee, Make-A-Wish East Tennessee, and Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge according to their website.”
“Director Reed has also applied for a grant to obtain a cardboard bailer, and necessary material for its operation,” Adcock continued. “The awarded grant means, DeKalb County will start participating in cardboard recycling, which will most likely take part at the transfer station given its centrally located position. The bailer will be housed at the transfer station and the collection bins will be at selected convenience sites. This will bring forth a new revenue stream for the County of DeKalb.”
Director Reed stated, "All involved with DeKalb County Solid Waste have been working to increase the recycling rate for the county. The focus has been placed on the low hanging fruit as well as feedback that has been received from the community, primarily cardboard, textiles, electronics, oil based paints, and putting the wood chipper back to use. The county commission approved the money to apply for a grant, with a 30% match from the county, to purchase a downstroke baler, and skid steer to kickstart cardboard recycling. TDEC has awarded DeKalb County that grant and we are currently waiting on paperwork from TDEC so we can begin the process of obtaining equipment.”
“In the meantime, we have containers at Snow Hill and Shiny Rock Convenience Centers for cardboard collection. We have partnered with America's Thrift Stores to collect textiles and other usable household items. These collection bins have been placed at the following convenience centers: Village Market (Cookeville Hwy), Snow Hill, Shiny Rock (McMinnville Hwy), Keltonburg, Alexandria, and the Landfill.”
“Donations from our community help benefit Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee. A more comprehensive list of items that are accepted is below and can also be found at https://www.americasthrift.com/donations/. America's Thrift Stores offers this service at no cost to the county,” Reed said.
“The brush chipper that we have is now being utilized at the transfer station and instead of sending brush to the landfill we will now be able to chip it up into mulch. I have been in contact with TDEC and had them deliver containers to the Shiny Rock Convenience Center for collection of OIL Based Paints and Stains, this is also a service that TDEC offers for no fee. Electronics can be dropped off at the Snow Hill facility for recycling. I am hopeful that DeKalb County will be able to host a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event in the spring of 2025. TDEC will allow this opportunity only if we offer year-round collection of Oil based paints and stains as well as electronics recycling."
America's Thrift Store Accepted Items
· If you wear it, we want it!
· Men’s, Women’s, Children’s Clothing
· Men’s, Women’s, Children’s Shoes
· Lingerie, Underwear & Socks
· Accessories such as: Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Ties, Purses, Wallets, Backpacks, Belts
· Bed sheets, blankets, pillows, curtains, tablecloths, and similar items
· Bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths, bath rugs
· Sports equipment, exercise equipment, bicycles
· Kitchenware such as pots, pans, utensils, china, vases, dishes, cutlery, glassware, silverware
· Working washers/dryers that are disconnected and must be placed outside on the lowest level for easy retrieval
· Small electrical appliances such as power tools, irons, blenders, mixers, stereos, CD players, speakers, DVD players & VCRs, lamps, fans, humidifiers
· Miscellaneous Items such as jewelry, crafts, mugs, candles, pictures/frames, baskets, ornaments, hand tools
· Hardback and paperback books
· Magazines
· Records, tapes, CDs
· Videos, DVDs, Blu-rays
· Toys, games, and puzzles
· Music Keyboards
Convenience Center Recycling Services
Village Market (Cookeville Hwy/Allens Ferry Rd)
· Metal
· Used Oil and Antifreeze
· America's Thrift Store Items
Snow Hill
· Metal
· Used Oil and Antifreeze
· America's Thrift Store Items
· Tires (4Tires every 6 Months per Individual)
· Cardboard
· Electronics
Shiny Rock
· Metal
· Used Oil and Antifreeze
· America's Thrift Store Items
· Tires (4Tires every 6 Months per Individual)
· Cardboard
Alexandria
· Metal
· Used Oil and Antifreeze
· America's Thrift Store Items
· Tires (4Tires every 6 Months per Individual)
Liberty
· Metal
· Used Oil and Antifreeze
· Tires (4Tires every 6 Months per Individual)
Keltonburg
· Metal
· Used Oil and Antifreeze
· America's Thrift Store Items
· Tires (4Tires every 6 Months per Individual)
Landfill
· Metal
· Used Oil and Antifreeze
· America's Thrift Store Items
· Tires (4Tires every 6 Months per Individual)
Midway
· Metal
· Used Oil and Antifreeze
· Tires (4Tires every 6 Months per Individual)
Blue Springs
· Metal
· Tires (4Tires every 6 Months per Individual)
"I hope to be able to continue to incorporate more recycling options for the citizens as my service here continues. I do ask for your continued help in using the compactors at the sites where they are available as that helps me be able to reduce the operation cost significantly. Thanks to all for the support as changes have been made at the sites to better serve you," said Director Reed.
