Polk County Mobile Recycling collects from one to one and a half tons of recycled materials on a typical morning between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. in Tryon (Harmon Field, Mondays), Saluda (Ozone Dr., Tuesdays), Green Creek (Fire Station on alternate Wednesdays) and Columbus (downtown, Thursdays). Recyclables are also collected at the transfer station on Rte. 9 every day including Saturday (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.).

There is often some confusion as to what is recyclable. Recyclable items include glass bottles, aluminum and steel cans, paper (including books, magazines and cardboard) and plastic containers with any number 1 through 7 stamped in a triangle on the bottom. Only plastic containers that hold either food or household products are accepted. Other plastic like coat hangers, plastic bags and plastic toys are not recyclable. Folks could help our recycling program by crushing their large plastic containers like milk jugs, kitty litter containers and large detergent containers.

Containers other than plastic, e.g. metal cans and glass bottles, can still be mixed together as usual. Batteries and light bulbs are also accepted. Computers, printers, fax machines, monitors etc. must now be taken to the landfill. They will not be accepted on the truck. There is a charge of $10 per item to recycle electronics at the landfill.

Items that do not qualify for recycling are tin foil, tin pie pans, plastic coat hangers, plastic bags (as mentioned above) window or mirror glass, or drink glasses, Styrofoam and metal items of any kind like coat hangers, wax coated paperboard milk cartons, containers that have been used for motor oil, gasoline, anti-freeze or poisons (Roundup, pesticides etc.). Those items can be brought to the transfer station in Mill Spring where there is a bin for metal, a place to recycle motor oil and of course bins for mixed trash.

A special thanks goes out to those folks who break down their cardboard boxes before bringing them to us. We deposit corrugated cardboard in a separate bin. It is bailed at the landfill.

Due to the danger of someone being cut, please notify the attendant of any broken glass in bags you’ve brought.

It is required that loads that are trucked directly to the landfill be tarped so that rubbish doesn’t fall out on the road.

We are very grateful for all the kind folks who recycle. Every ton that is recycled is a ton that does not go into the landfill. 

If you’re not able to climb up and drop your materials in the bin, the truck driver will be happy to do it for you. That’s part of the service. Those of you who don’t recycle as of yet, come on down and join the fun. It is a good place to meet your friends and help the world at the same time.

– submitted by Rich Robinson and Dan Dworkin