In this issue:
- Lawrence Glass Recycling Opportunities Expand
- City of Lawrence Spring Compost Sale
- Celebrate Earth Day in Lawrence!
- Police Department Hiring New Officers
Lawrence Glass Recycling Opportunities Expand
City adds four drop-off bins around town to increase glass recycling efforts
Lawrence residents and businesses now have more locations to drop off glass for recycling.
The glass recycling drop-off bins are located in the parking lots of:
- Dillons, 4701 West 6th Street
- Hy-Vee, 3504 Clinton Parkway
- Hy-Vee, 4000 West 6th Street
- On The Rocks, 1818 Massachusetts Street
In the bright purple glass recycling dropoff bins, place all glass food and beverage containers of any color. All brown, green, blue, and clear glass bottles and jars can be mixed together in the same collection bin. Labels on the glass containers do not have to be removed. Items not accepted for recycling in these collection bins include plate glass (windows), mirrors, Pyrex, CorningWare, ceramics, and dishes.
"This program is benefi cial to Lawrence and the Kansas City region in many ways," said Mayor Aron Cromwell. "First, by offering multiple bins in Lawrence, we’re providing a convenient way to keep glass out of the landfi ll and allow the product to be recycled for optimal use. Second, Ripple Glass’ process takes our discarded glass and turns it into insulation at a factory in Kansas City. Our partnership helps provide jobs and manufacturing in the Kansas City area and is an excellent example of how recycling benefi ts the economy and creates a product that is in demand nationwide."
This addition boosts the number of Citysponsored public recycling sites to thirteen at various convenient locations. Contact the City’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Division at 832- 3030 or visit www.LawrenceRecycles.org for a complete list of the recycling drop-off locations.
Ripple Glass is the brainchild of the people behind Boulevard Brewing Company. Each year Boulevard sells more than 10 million bottles in the Kansas City area alone. Before Ripple Glass, most of those bottles landed in local landfi lls. Ripple Glass is a local solution to a local problem of waste glass. Ripple Glass collects glass locally, processes it locally, and then a local manufacturer, Owens Corning uses the material to make fi berglass insulation.
"Recycling glass is good for the environment, great for the local economy, and makes local homes more energy effi cient," said Mike Utz, principal and co-founder of Ripple Glass.
Why Recycle Glass?
- Container glass is 100 percent recyclable, can be recycled endlessly, and is a primary ingredient in fi berglass insulation and new glass containers.
- Burying perfectly good glass in the landfi ll wastes all the material, energy, and labor that went into making it.
- Using recycled glass produces 20 percent less air pollution and 50 percent less water pollution than creating new glass (or fi berglass) from raw materials.
- Every ton of glass that’s recycled results in more than one ton of raw materials saved. That equals 1,300 lbs. of sand, 410 lbs. of soda ash, 380 lbs. of limestone, and 150 lbs. of feldspar.
- Recycling just one glass bottle saves enough electricity to light a 100- watt light bulb for four hours. (Imagine how long it would light a compact fl uorescent!)
- A six-pack of recycled glass bottles produces enough fi berglass insulation to fi ll a standard wall cavity.
Source: rippleglass.com
City of Lawrence Spring Compost Sale
Now a two-day event!
Composting is the act of converting decaying organic matter (leaves, grass and woody debris) into a useable mixture suitable for improving soil structure and providing nutrients. If your yard or plants could benefi t from some natural, locallymade compost, come on down to the 2-day Spring Compost Sale.
- When: Friday, March 23, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 24, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (may close early if supply is depleted).
- Where: City’s Wood Recovery and Composting Facility, located at 1420 E. 11th Street, east of 11th and Haskell, over the railroad tracks.
- How: Load your own material for free or have it loaded by tractor into pickups and small trailers for $10 per truckload (more for larger trucks and trailers). The city cannot load trucks with ladder racks. Cash only, please.
This compost is not intended for commercial applications, but rather for the citizens of Lawrence. Dump truck quantities are not allowed.
For further information, please contact the Waste Reduction and Recycling Division at (785) 832-3030 or visit LawrenceRecycles.org.
Celebrate Earth Day in Lawrence!
April 14, 2012
Earth Day, observed on April 22, was created in 1970 to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment. The City of Lawrence joins thousands of communities across the United States to celebrate Earth Day.
The 12th Annual Lawrence Earth Day Celebration in South Park, hosted by the City’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Division, will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 14. The day starts with a parade, hosted by KU Environs, at 11 a.m. on Massachusetts Street from Seventh Street to South Park. All activities are free and open to the public.
Come to South Park and visit the Recycle Cycle made from reclaimed materials and learn about recycling. Eat lunch at one of our locally-owned mobile food vendors and add your plates, napkins, and food scraps to the composting bins. There will be live music and children’s activities. Attendees can also learn from exhibits about waste reduction, recycling, composting, energy conservation, land preservation, wildlife and habitat preservation, and more.
The Earth Day Celebration will feature:
- April Showers to Water Towers: A Water Festival for Douglas County hosted by the City’s Stormwater Division.
- Garden and tree ID tours hosted by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.
- Alternative fuel fl eet vehicles on display.
The Lawrence Transit System will offer free rides on the T all day Saturday, April 14, providing the experience and benefi ts of public transportation on all fi xed routes.
Police Department Hiring New Officers
To qualify, applicants must be 21 years-of-age at the time of appointment, have a High School Diploma or equivalent, be a U.S. citizen, have no felony convictions, and possess a valid driver’s license. Applicants should include copies of resume and diplomas earned. Starting pay is $19.95/hour. Applications are due Friday, April 13, 2012. Please submit applications online at www.lawrenceks.org/jobs.
Questions can be directed to Officer Hogue at (785) 830- 7412 or Offi cer Guile (785) 830-7413 or via email at training.unit@ lkpd.org.