Interior Recycling Bins Reduce Waste at State Parks

TDEC expects to see an increase in recycled materials with the implementation of interior recycling bins in all state parks.

Deputy Communications Director Kim Schofinski said the interior recycling bins provide easier access to recycling opportunities.

“We are expecting to see a good amount of waste diverted. I can tell you that in 2018 in total, our park system recycled 557 tons of material,” Schofinski said. “So that is in part with the exterior bins and some other bins we already had.”

The addition of interior recycling bins took place earlier this month. Schofinski said TDEC added the interior bins as part of the Go Green with Us initiative.

“Well, it’s a combination of responding to the needs of our visitors,” Schofinski said. “As well as a broader goal within our state park system to be responsible stewards of our public lands and natural resources and further our mission.”

Schofinski said she has received positive feedback from the park staff within the first month.

“It helps make their job easier, it helps save cost, operation costs, less trash is going to the landfill. We are diverting more waste that way,” Schofinski said. “I have heard a lot of good feedback about our exterior bins as well. Visitors like how they look. They are clean and easy to use. They help keep pests out of the trash which keeps the park clean as well.”

Schofinski said the brown and green bins have compartments for trash, plastic, and aluminum.

“The bins themselves are actually made from recycled content. So they are made from 1,000 milk jugs,” Schofinski said. “Each bin has 1,000 milk jugs of material. So then when these bins reach the end of their life expectancy, we can recycle the bins themselves. So really it is a full circle process.”

Each park places the interior bins within particular buildings at the park.

“It’s a little bit different for each park because our parks are so unique based on their geography and visitor amenities,” Schofinski said. “So most are in visitor centers, some are in a park office, some might be in a conference room space.”

All state parks, including Cummins Falls, Fall Creek Falls, and Edgar Evins, utilize the new interior recycling bins.