By Nancy Edwards
More than 26 tons of recyclable materials have avoided a permanent home in a landfill, thanks to the efforts of more than 700 Fishers residents who participated in Recycling Day on Nov. 10.
DAO Recycling partnered with the Town of Fishers Stormwater Utility, Quick Shred, Bee Environmental Management and Fishers Optimists Club to hold the third annual event in the parking lot of Roy G. Holland Memorial Park.
According to Dale Needleman, business development manager for DAO Recycling, over 12 tons of electronics equipment was donated, as well as 10 tons of metals, yard equipment, bikes and cardboard, alongside over 3 tons of shredded paper.
“We’ll separate and dismantle everything so that it goes back to its original commodity form,” Needleman said, “that otherwise would have been in landfills.”
A large variety of items is donated each year for Recycling Day: from washers, dryers and stoves, to books, cell phones, mattresses, antifreeze, oil and acids.
Jill Scott, a school librarian who said she has been donating items for Recycling Day for the past three years, showed up for Recycling Day with household items and videotapes from school.
“These are things I can’t put in the trash,” she said. “I believe in recycling and am very concerned about our environment.”
Richard Leek, who donated old computers and shredded financial documents, said that he is just as concerned about the environment as he is about security.
“Security is an issue for me and my store,” he said. “After I did some research, I discovered it’s a sensitive way to dispose of everything now. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the importance of recycling as it relates to mother earth. I’m more cognizant of the importance of it all.”
Needleman calls the event a “win-win” situation. “We’re saving the earth and the people in it,” he said.
