Charleston County sponsoring creative recycling art contest

Flickr user kfisto

Entry deadline is Friday, Nov. 4- prizes awarded to winners in all categories

Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department is seeking participants for the 2011 Creative Recycling Art Contest. The art contest is being held to celebrate America Recycles Day 2011 in Charleston County.

America Recycles Day is recognized annually on November 15 to celebrate the successes of recycling while providing an educational platform to raise awareness about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling – every day throughout the year. America Recycles Day is a national initiative of nonprofit Keep America Beautiful, Inc. (KAB).

“Reusing materials and using them as supplies to make artwork helps to close the recycling loop – reduce, reuse, recycle and buy recycled. The purpose of this contest is to encourage people to think creatively about our recyclables,” said Bronwyn Santos, Recycling Educator for Charleston County Environmental Management.

This year marks the 14th anniversary of the County’s Creative Recycling Art Contest. An awards reception will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, at the Charleston County Main Library (68 Calhoun Street, Charleston).

There are two categories to enter:

• Students, grades 7-12
• Adults (18 years and older)

Students in grades 7-12 and adults may enter artwork that is created with a minimum of 70 percent recycled materials. First place winners in each category will receive a $300 gift card.

The deadline to submit artwork is 5 p.m. on Friday, November 4.

Detailed Criteria for Grades 7-12 and Adults (18 years and older) Categories:

• At least 70 percent of the materials used in the creation of your entry must be material diverted from disposal and reused. Art supplies such as glue, paint, markers, nails and staples are allowed.
• Art entries can be in any medium and take any visual form, including but not limited to sculpture, weaving, fashion, mosaics, ceramics, painting, etc.
• The size of art entries must not exceed 24 inches in height x 24 inches in width x 24 inches in diameter.
• Only one entry per person.
• All art entries must be labeled so that each entry can be easily identified. Labels must be securely attached with name, address, phone number, school name, grade, art teacher, name of entry and medium description.

Prizes:

• First place student, grades 7-12: $300 gift card.
• First place in the adult (18 years and older) category: $300 gift card.
• Runner-up and Honorable Mention awards will be named in each category.

This art contest supports Charleston County’s recycling partnership with the Charleston County School District. Recently announced, this partnership will foster environmental sustainability within the school system and across the community. In addition to collecting recyclable materials, Charleston County will be conducting waste assessments and providing a comprehensive education and outreach program for teachers and students through a school recycling representative. These actions in conjunction with CCSD Sustainable Schools Initiative will ultimately lead to a reduction in the amount of garbage generated and support County Council’s goal of a 40% recycling rate.

For more information on the Charleston County Creative Recycling Art Contest or to submit your contest entry, contact Bronwyn Santos, Charleston County Recycling,13 Romney Street, Charleston, SC 29403 or call (843) 720-7112

For more information on America Recycles Day, visit www.americarecyclesday.org.

For more information on Charleston County Government, visit recycle.charlestoncounty.org.

Citizens Asked to Recycle Christmas Trees

Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department staff would like to remind all residents that they are here to help citizens make their holidays a little “greener.”

“About 25 percent more waste is generated this time of year, but much of it is recyclable and need not be destined for the landfill,” said Nancy Carter, Charleston County Environmental Management Department’s Community Representative. “Recyclable products have value and will generate revenue that flows back into the county. Recycling also provides jobs in addition to many environmental and health benefits.”

Christmas trees and greenery can be recycled (please remember to remove all tinsel and ornaments). North Charleston will pick them up curbside. The trees picked up curbside are transported to the Bees Ferry Landfill to be ground and composted. Residents who drop off a tree at the Bees Ferry Landfill from January 2-9 will receive a free bag of compost. 

Cardboard, all mixed paper and commingled products (plastics #1-7, glass containers and aluminum and steel cans) can also be recycled through the curbside program and at the numerous drop-site locations and convenience centers located throughout the county. The convenience centers also accept used motor oil and cooking oil, electronics, household hazardous materials, batteries, paint, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and holiday light strands. 

Residents should note changes in the schedule over the holidays. All convenience centers will close at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 24 except for Bees Ferry Landfill, which will close at 2 p.m., and all will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Curbside recycling schedules will not change during the holidays. 

For more information on recycling, contact the Charleston County Environmental Management Department at (843) 720-7111 or visit http://www.charlestoncounty.org.

Charleston County announces recycling pilot program in North Charleston

Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department and the City of North Charleston held a joint press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at the East Montague Business District in North Charleston.

The event marks the start of Charleston County’s Commercial Recycling Pilot Program, which is designed to engage business participation and gather data on commercial recycling within strategic areas of the County. The program is expected to run for several months.

“Although the pilot program is currently free of charge to participating businesses, an analysis of the data will provide a framework for developing a comprehensive commercial recycling program in the future, as well as determine any potential collection fees,” said Nancy Carter, Charleston County Environmental Management Department’s Community Representative.

Materials that will be recycled for the pilot program are cardboard, mixed paper and commingled products (plastics #1-7, glass containers and aluminum and steel cans). All materials will be processed at the County’s recycling center located at 13 Romney Street in downtown Charleston.

The East Montague Business District represents a variety of businesses that include restaurants and bars, professional offices, financial institutions and retailers.

“Because of its variety and high level of interest in recycling, it was identified as a model area to initiate the Commercial Recycling Pilot Program,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie E. Pryor, Sr.

For more information on the Commercial Recycling Pilot Program, contact the Charleston County Environmental Management Department at (843) 720-7111 or visit http://www.charlestoncounty.org.