What will Washington County and the surrounding areas of this community be losing if the Marietta Area Recycling Center (MARC) closes? Those of us that recycle at MARC understand that another place to recycle will need to be found. This could be through a trash service such as Rumpke, Kimble, or another provider. But what about those that live in a part of the county where recycling options are not part of the trash service. The SouthEasten Ohio Joint Solid Waste Management District provides recycling trailers at various locations throught the county at scheduled times. IF you get there early, you may be able to squeeze your items in. Only certain items are accepted and Please follow the “rules” or this service can be stopped due to contamination, plastic bags in the trailer, items left on the ground, etc. leaving recyclers looking for yet another place to go.

But just as important as finding a new place to recycle is what will the community lose? Many resources will be gone if MARC closes.

Are you in need of NEWSPAPERS for potty training your new puppy, lining animal cages, weed suppressor for gardens, controlling messes when painting, doing crafts or starting fires in the firepit? MARC has NEWSPAPERS for the community members to take thanks to other community members that bring them to MARC.

Looking for a CARDBOARD BOX for shipping items to Aunt Sally, doing a craft, projects for children or moving? Or maybe you just need a piece of CARDBOARD for the garage floor because your car developed a leak or to use in the garden. MARC has CARDBOARD for the community to take.

Want PLAIN PACKING PAPER for wrapping dishes when moving, sending Grandma a birthday present or selling items on ebay? MARC has PLAIN PACKING PAPER for the community to take.

What about SHREDDED PAPER for animal bedding, mulch for the garden, an addition to the compost pile or crafts? Guess what? MARC has SHREDDED PAPER, too, for the community members to take. Again, thanks to other community members for bringing it in.

Do you need BUBBLE WRAP or PACKING PEANUTS when sending a gift? MARC has those, also; Free for the community to take.

How many community members that raise chickens and sell eggs come to MARC for EGG CARTONS? Again free for the taking because OUR community members bring them in for others to RE-Use.

If you are looking for certain jars, bottles, tin (okay, I’m old, bimetal is the correct term) cans, bottle caps, plastic containers such as peanut butter jars, coffee containers, ice cream pails, etc. for storage or crafts, MARC has those.

What MARC has is all of the above and more too, THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

But what MARC DOESN’T have is enough VOLUNTEERS. Washington county’s population is approximately 65,000. MARC has about 20 active VOLUNTEERS. MARC needs the help of more of OUR community members from Washington county, Williamstown, Boaz and other nearby WV areas to volunteer.

And as a reminder, MARC is completely operated by VOLUNTEERS; There aren’t any employees. MARC’s funding is 30% from sale of materials and the remainder from donations and sponsorships; No funding is from the City of Marietta or Washington County Government.

Please don’t let OUR Community lose MARC and all it has to offer. VOLUNTEER!

Dee Baker is from Lowell, Ohio and is a volunteer with the Marietta Area Recycling Center. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.mariettarecycling.org or go to www.facebook.com/MariettaRecyclingCenter