KILLEEN, TX — A new recycling program launched this year in Killeen is picking up traction. The city bought trailers strategically placed in different areas of the community for residents to drop off their recyclable.
The city expected to empty them once or twice a week, but the trailers gained popularity quickly. They say they empty them every other day.
Each trailer holds seventeen cubic yards. In the first month, the city diverted 576 cubic yards.
July was a record-breaking recycling month for the city, with 140 tons of recycling processed.
While the decision to buy the trailers is a push toward a greener community, it also serves as a solution to a growing problem. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Temple Recycling and Disposal Facility, which Killeen uses, is filling up quickly. Officials say it has just about 10 years worth of space left.
The service is free, which residents we spoke to say is appealing.
“Why not? You know, the hard part about recycling is, anything that’s good for you, or good to the environment is always a cost effected to it. So if it’s something that is low impact on my finances, then sure,” said Rondale Williams of Killeen.
The City says that they also have a fairly good ‘contamination rate,’ which means recyclable materials mixed in with the waste. Killeen leaders expected about half of the haul to be contaminated, but they have only seen about 35% percent. Before throwing recyclables in the trailer, be sure to know what can and cannot be tossed.
The trailers are located on Clear Creek near the water tower, as well as on the Killeen Rodeo Grounds.
