CLIPBOARD : No Nickel and Dime Operation

Since 1990, some grocery stores have been working with recycling companies to provide centralized recycling locations for shoppers. Last year, the increased trend toward recycling paid off in more than a little spare change, as county residents shared more than $2 million for their efforts--not to mention the spare space in county landfills.

Plastic was the most popular of the three materials residents brought back, accounting for 78% of the total. Glass, 16%, and aluminum, 6%, comprised about one-fifth of the total poundage.

The bulk of the recycling efforts took place during the last seven months of the year, which include the summer and holiday seasons. About two-thirds, 68%, of the total amount of aluminum, glass and plastic was reclaimed during the June-December period.

Here’s how many pounds of each material recyclers received in 1990:

Jan./May- June/Dec. Recycle Material January-May June-December Total Pct.Increase Aluminum 1,489,545 3,322,976 4,812,521 123 Glass 3,877,975 9,252,719 13,130,694 139 Plastic 20,459,590 41,609,992 62,069,582 103 TOTAL 25,827,110 54,185,687 80,012,797 110

Sources: Envipco Co., Ralph’s Grocery Co., Alpha Beta