Swain Stihl answers questions posed to 101.7/WGOG

 

Swain Still, director of Oconee Solid Waste, has provided the following information to 101.7/WGOG NEWS:

1.       When will recycling at the recycle centers return to full operations?

“Oconee County Solid Waste, along with Oconee County Administration and EOC, is working on a slow but methodical return to full recycling capacity. The recycling of materials that have the potential to transport the Covid-19 virus and are directly handled by staff such as paper, glass jars, and bottles, and plastic have been put on hold until the Covid-19 virus is no longer deemed a threat to the safety of Oconee County employees. These materials are all directly handled by residents and most bottles have come in direct contact with resident’s hands and mouths. Plastic and glass are the most porous of the materials which have been stated as the materials on which the virus can thrive for days, estimates being anywhere from 6-17 days per the CDC. Therefore, we ask that residents NOT STOCKPILE materials to recycle but to place all non-accepted materials into the garbage compactor to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. You can place aluminum cans and steel cans directly into the scrap metal bin at this time, in order to lighten your load.  For the past several weeks, the cases in Oconee County have continued to increase. We are still one of the lowest in the state, which tends to lean to the idea that practices that have been put in place have helped slow the spread.

Currently, we are monitoring the information provided by the CDC, SC DHEC, and the Governor’s office. Once the numbers start to decline, we will begin to slowly institute paper first, then plastic and then glass. When we start collecting the items again (which we will once the situation with the virus is better understood), we will announce it on our website at https://oconeesc.com/solid-waste-home, on our Facebook page which is named Oconee County Solid Waste and Recycling, and as a Public Service Announcement on WGOG and the Daily Journal.”

 

2.       Memorial Day Hours

All of Solid Waste including the Transfer Station, C&D Landfill, and Recycle Centers will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2020, in observance of Memorial Day. Solid Waste will be back to a regular schedule on Tuesday, May 26th.