Youth Learn Why Municipalities Go Green

At the October meeting of the Sanford/Lee County Youth Council, members were treated to presentations about Lee County's and the City of Sanford's recycling programs.

Joe Cherry, the superintendent of Solid Waste at Lee County Government, explained how the county uses its recycling program to eliminate waste, reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills, and to better recover after storms.

Laura Spivey, the City's Public Works administrator and grant writer, shared with the youth council how the Sanford City Council came to the decision to offer municipal recycling. She also discussed the different factors that go into that decision, such as the cost of recycling containers and pick up, as well as keeping an eye on the City's carbon footprint.

Finally, the members visited the City's state-certified compost facility. They were able to see how the City turns plant matter and other natural debris into an operation that benefits both Sanford and its residents.

For more information about the Sanford/Lee County Youth Council, call Karen Kennedy at 919-777-1113.