Lake Orion is certainly not shy when it comes to flaunting the color green, especially after Friday’s homecoming festivities.
But the village is celebrating green in different way ? with recycling.
‘We’re trying to get people to recycle more and more,? said Village Manager Paul Zelenak. ‘We’re trying to make it more available and be as green as possible.?
A new recycling program came with the village’s agreement with waste hauler Richfield Equities. (See ‘Talkin? Trash? from The Review’s July 7 edition.) Now, village residents can put their recycling to the curb, free of charge, and participate in Rewards for Recycling.
Zelenak says the number of recyclers in the village has gone up since the program started three weeks ago; participation is around 20 or 30 percent of residents, though he expects it to continue to increase.
Curb-side recycling containers are available for free at the village offices at 37 E. Flint Street and so far, residents have picked up between 50 and 100 of them. Anyone who wants additional or bigger containers can contact Richfield and purchase some at lower prices than in stores. Containers come in 35-gallon, 64-gallon and 96-gallon sizes and can be delivered.
But, says Zelenak, residents can use other containers, too, just so long as they apply a barcoded sticker from the village offices. It’s that barcode that allows participation in the Rewards for Recycling program, by linking addresses to online accounts, and sets residents up for coupons to local businesses, like Elements, Valentino’s Restaurant and Amazing Petals Florists. To participate, go online to www.rewardsforrecycling.com and follow the instructions to start an account.
There aren’t weight restrictions on what’s in the recycling bin ? a bonus for families going through a lot of supplies, like five or six gallons of milk each week, says the village manager.
‘I think this rewards portion is great,? said Zelenak, who noted Lake Orion is still a minority municipality when it comes to offering recycling services, though he’s glad more and more communities are starting up.
‘It’s about time. What took us so long to realize that this was a good thing to do? Think about all the junk we used to throw out before,? he said.
What can residents recycle? The list is lengthy and flexible and includes most items, so long as they aren’t Styrofoam, ceramic, food, used pizza boxes, plastic grocery bags, electronic, motor oil containers, hazardous waste containers, glass and light bulbs and yard waste.
For more information, contact the village offices at 248-693-8391.