Bring it: KBB hosting annual collection of recyclables

Brittney Whipple and her band of volunteers at Keep Blount Beautiful are gearing up to once again present the annual Earth Day Recycling collection that takes place on Saturday, April 20.

Blount County residents will be able to recycle numerous items, said Whipple, who serves as executive director for KBB. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot at Maryville First Baptist Church, 202 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway, across from Blount County Courthouse. No early drop-offs will be accepted, Whipple said.

She added that no one has to exit their vehicles to hand over their recyclables. Handing them out the window or opening the trunk are enough. The collection takes place rain or shine unless weather is severe, Whipple said.

Whipple also stressed this is not a hazardous waste collection. The accepted items for recycle include:

• Documents for shredding from households and small businesses only. Staples and paperclips are okay but binding needs to be removed.Shredding is done onsite.

Those who bring documents are asked to consider a $5 donation.

• Electronics including CRT televisions and CRT monitors. There is a disposal fee of $15 each for monitor, $25 for small CRT televisions and $35 for large CRT televisions.

Donations are also appreciated for use of the electronic recycling services.

• Household batteries to include alkaline, zinc carbon, lithium-ion, button cells, silver oxide and nickel metal hydride, along with small electronic batteries from cellphones, tablets, wireless headphones and earbuds, smart watches, activity trackers, power tools. Batteries from vape devices and damaged batteries will not be accepted.

• Goodwill will be onsite to collect clothes and shoes, DVDs, CDs and books, housewares, luggage, blankets, towels, etc.

• Maryville Lions Club will take prescription eyeglasses (no sunglasses), safety glasses and cases

• Keep Blount Beautiful accepts reusable grocery bags in good condition, backpacks and wine bags along with used Brita products, used oral care products such as empty toothpaste tubes, floss containers, toothbrushes, excluding electronic toothbrushes. Used air cane items like air and home cartridges, plugs, spray nozzles and film packaging will also be accepted along with used hair tools and appliances like hair dryers and curling irons and paper egg cartons.

This recycle event is part of the Blount County Great American Cleanup, Whipple said. The next one will be the Pistol Creek Cleanup on May 18, she added.

Tennessee Valley Authority sponsors the BCGAC. For more information about KBB and its events, visit KeepBlountBeautiful.org.