Recycling on Hatteras Island

The project began with a little over 150 rental houses in the Rodanthe/Waves/Salvo area. The program was received well. The only gripes were by some homeowners in the Mirlo beach area who complained of the “unsightly” green bins. The volume collected week after week was amazing.  The bins were filled to capacity almost every week, mostly consisting of water bottles, beer cans and bottles. This was not surprising considering Americans dispose of 2.5 million water bottles every hour. Carl “Tom Thumb” Walker, coordinator of the Dare County Recycling Program, was glad to provide the service. Matt Todd of the DPPEA came to visit in August. “He was blown away by the amount of recyclables per house,” said Phillips. The volume of the 150 houses was close to that of 1,000 homes in a regular residential area. The larger sized homes used by multiple families for vacations, as well as the “vacation factor”- convenience foods and drinks easily available in plastic to avoid wasting precious time washing dishes or cooking regular meals were thought by Phillips to be the two contributing factors. Despite the relatively small number of participating homes Todd “was very impressed with the participation”. Neighborhood houses would leave garbage bags full of recyclables next to the green bins.

Some of the suggestions left by DPPEA have been implemented by Todd he is working with Dare County on others. First, Todd has begun using larger containers on the truck for sorting and collection from the street side bins. Second, he is working with the county to have the recyclables “co-mingled.” This way only paper would be separated from the aluminum, glass, and plastic. Phillips is also moving forward with his vision for island-wide curbside recycling by 2009. In 2008, he will purchase an additional truck and begin servicing the Avon homeowners of Midgett Realty. Sun, Colony, Outer Beaches, and Hatteras Realty have encouraged their homeowners to participate through voluntary “opt-in” process. Participation is the largest obstacle.

Walker and the County Public Works Department are looking at many options to expand recycling. Pubic Works maintains it's commitment to increasing recycling across the board, and it's considering long-range options, including curbside recycling service. “Recycling is definitely increasing here in Dare County,” reflected Walker. “I would never count it (curbside service) out.” “We are on track to be island-wide by 2009,” Phillips reflects. “And that will be a great thing for everyone.”