Hillsborough Recycling Program

Hooray for Hillsborough! I don't have the figures for Pinellas County, but according to a mailer I received in my mailbox this week requests for recycling bins increased 552 percent during the first three months of the "Famous Bins" campaign. YTD 2010, more than 7,200 households have received bins. To learn more or request your own curbside recycling bin, visit HillsboroughRecycles.org .

Blue bins are for newspaper, magazines, catalogs, unwanted mail, office paper, corrugated cardboard, paperboard, and paper bags.

Green bins are for plastic bottles, plastic jugs, glass bottles, glass jars, aluminum food containers, and beverage cans.

According to the literature I received, almost 30,000 tons of material has been collected via curbside recycling and more than 150,000 tons of yard and wood waste has been collected. Wow! Eighty-percent of the material is yard waste, twigs, branches, grass clippings, etc.

With a little creativity and minimal effort, I believe nearly 90% of the yard waste could be recycled locally in the home. A compost bin, pile, or worm bin is a great way to get started.  Red wigglers can help the county reduce costs for trash disposal and recycling.

In my house it's become a game to see how much we can compost with the worms and then return to our yard as a nutrient rich compost. Our grass loves us! It's never been healthier or greener.

Let me know if you need help or suggestions.