2008.12.30
Walmart recycling center to open at 2 p.m. Jan. 5
Below is a release from Mike Stevens, city of Salem spokesman, about the opening of the new recycling center. To see a recent post about how the city of Salem's recycling works, click here.
"The City of Salem and Walwart are joining forces to help citizens "Go Green" in 2009. The Walmart Super Store on West Main St. is set to become the latest site for one of the city's recycling drop-off centers beginning on January 5th. Salem residents will be able to recycle newspaper, aluminum cans, steel cans, and number 1 and 2 plastics at the new center that will be located in the west end of the Walmart parking lot.
"We think this is a win-win situation for Walmart, the city and the residents," says Chris Forbes, the manager of the West Salem Walmart. "We have over 360 associates at our store and they are excited to be involved with this initiative."
Salem used to have a newspaper only drop-off site in Spartan Square several years ago, but this will be the first time the city has had a full service recycling center on the west end of the city.
"Without Walmart we would have had to lease property in the area, and then to develop it and set it up could have cost us about $30,000 or more," says Jim Fender, Salem's Director of Solid Waste. "The entire Walmart Corporation has initiated a "Green" policy and we're excited about this partnership."
Salem's Solid Waste Department will furnish recycling bins similar to the ones currently used at the Indiana St. site. The city also will handle any necessary signage and the maintenance of the facility, while Walmart will provide the location and the built-in consumer traffic.
"We want to make an impact on the community and we think people will like the idea of being able to come to Walmart to drop off their recyclables and make their purchases in one stop," says Forbes.
Fender, Forbes and several members of Salem City Council will be in attendance when the drop-off center is formally opened at 2pm on Monday, January 5th."
