While all the other towns filled up their trash containers and sent everything to the landfill, Pinehurst, with its recent purchase of portable recycling bins, provided for collection of plastic bottles and aluminum cans, sending hundreds of these -- not to the landfill -- but to recycling.

This is a pioneer step. Think of the Malcolm Blue and Sardine Festivals in Aberdeen, the Carthage Buggy Festival, the Southern Pines spring and fall Festivals, the Holly Arts Festival, the many parks and recreation events, the tennis and golfing events.

"Not one of these has ever had recycling provided," says Dot Greenwood of the League of Women Voters. "Keep Moore County Beautiful and the League of Women Voters took only a few recycle bins to try out recycling at three recent events and found that people were enthusiastic about having a chance to recycle."

Department of Public Works Director Walter Morgan, along with Planning Department employee Molly Russell, Leo Magiera of the Pinehurst Recycling Committee and Mark Wagner, director of Pinehurst Parks and Recreation, decided to purchase 10 portable bins and to make them available at town special events and recreation programs. These new recycling bins made their debut in the Pinehurst village on July 4th.

"Now we have to get people used to looking for the recycle bins and making use of them," says Morgan.

The bins are placed next to trash cans, but there can be no mix-up. The recycle bins must have only plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Contamination with non-recyclables can ruin the whole batch.

"Recycling starts with our providing the bins, but it depends on people using the bins and using them correctly." says Greenwood. "The recent article in The Pilot about the county's decision to provide for recycling of plastic in Carthage and West End was another big step in efforts for more recycling.

Also, the KMCB mixed paper collections at the BP Station across from Fresh Market have shown another huge step in the last six months, going from a top collection of 3,000 pounds of mixed paper and cardboard to a whopping 10,200 pounds."

The next collection is on Sept. 9, and will be every other month, usually on the second Saturday.

"If the county and the towns begin increasing recycling efforts, we can hope that organizations will also," says Greenwood. "Think of all the organizations which have events where a recycling bin could make a difference!"

These portable bins are available for sale by KMCB. To purchase a bin, contact Greenwood at 215-0443.

"One last plea," says Greenwood. "Moore County residents need to do more. Only about one-third are recycling. Residents need to catch the spirit and show that they take recycling seriously. If efforts are being made by officials, it is time for each of us to respond. Recycling helps. It reduces the landfill, saves raw materials, and creates jobs."