HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The week of Christmas, trash bins on the curb waiting for pick up were overflowing with wrapping paper, boxes, and bags left over from gifts. As people continue to dispose of unwanted packaging from their newly gifted items, hardworking staff at the Hopkinsville Solid Waste Enterprise are trying to keep up with increased demand.
“We do see a significant increase in trash following the holiday season. I would say up to about 25% more,” said HSWE General Manager Bryan Silver. He added that this influx usually lasts through the first half of January and keeps their employees very busy.
Since the department has rules about disposal prohibiting trash from being outside of the designated bin, bags can be seen overflowing in residential neighborhoods throughout Hopkinsville. Adjusted holiday schedules also leads to significant accumulation.
Cardboard recycling, Christmas tree disposal
Although HSWE does recycling collection, those who do not pay for this additional service have the option to drive to a recycling facility, or simply put the accumulated boxes alongside trash. HSWE pays for all unrecycled cardboard to be sent to the Hopkins County Regional Landfill in White Plains, Kentucky along with all of their municipal solid waste.
“Recycling cardboard is very important after Christmas,” Silver told Christian County Now. “Recycling cardboard allows us to keep it out of the landfill and saves us money and also saves our customers money by being able to keep our rates low.”
Those who have begun to purge their homes of Christmas decorations and are looking to get rid of evergreen trees can set them on the curb on trash day for disposal. Silver said that the department’s knuckle boom trucks that are equipped for oversized trash will be around to pick them up.
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