Saving Accomack County Money Is A "Good Thing"

POST OFFICE OFFERS RECYCLING

ONANCOCK -- For the first time on the Eastern Shore, citizens have the option of recycling unwanted mail right in the post office lobby. This convenience is due to the thought, time, and efforts of Onancock Postmaster April Hart and Sales Associate Cathy Dawson.

Onancock will be saving the whole county money by keeping mail out of the landfill. For every ton of catalogs, ads, and unwanted mail and paper that gets recycled, citizens save $46. Paper and mail are heavy, and at the post office, it adds up quickly. Just ask Waste Watcher volunteer, Charlie O'Neill, who has been picking up and carting recyclable plastic and non-identifying mail to the convenience centers for the last month.

Hart has long been concerned about the amount of paper that customers threw away rather than recycled. Waste Watchers of the Eastern Shore, a community group that promotes responsible disposal of waste, was worried too. Many people come to the post office, open their mail boxes and sort through it right there in the lobby. Catalogues, unwanted advertising and empty envelopes go straight into the waste basket and from there -- needlessly and expensively --to the landfill.

Last month, Waste Watchers provided the post office with a recycling bin and a weekly pickup service to recycle rather than toss all that paper. Just as Onancock Post Office and Waste Watchers were ready to start the process, Hart learned that recycling of mail by citizens was not allowed because of the possibility of identity theft.

However, USPS does have a recycling system in place called "Read, Respond, and Recycle Your Mail." This program puts locked recycling bins in post office lobbies so people can responsibly dispose of unwanted paper. It has a thin opening to discourage garbage or anything other than paper being added.

After some investigation by both Waste Watchers and Hart, it was discovered that many post offices throughout Virginia enjoyed this service but as so often happens, there was not one on the Eastern Shore. That's when Hart went into action. Figuring there were districts that had more than they needed, she put word out that Onancock wanted just one if anyone had a spare. And after only four weeks, a bin showed up, and Onancock postal customers are happily recycling and saving themselves money.

Jenny O'Neill, of Waste Watchers, said, "The actions of these two civil servants have made a positive difference. Without their focus and efforts, this wouldn't have happened. Next time you go to the Post Office, make sure you thank them." Onancock can now add another green feather to its cap.

www.easternshorenews.com

I'm going to be keeping an eye out for one of these at the two post offices I use in my area. This is a great start for Accomack County. If you asked me I'd tell you that Accomack County has been a little "slow" on getting with the recycle programs. Those metal cans and plastics (with the exception of plastic bottles) are still going to the landfill. Thankyou April Hart and Cathy Dawson!!