While other cities and counties talk the talk, the Benton County Solid Waste District is leading the way for recycling and sustainability in Arkansas. Two good examples make the point and demonstrate what other local governments could be doing.
Electronic waste recycling. Earlier this year, the District held a no-fee week for recycling electronic waste--old computers, monitors, televisions, microwaves, VCRs, radios, cell phones, and other obsolete gadgets . Fourteen pallets of out-of-date computer monitors were collected and taken to Unicor Recycling in
Styrofoam recycling. Benton County has the state's first such operation. Working with Rogers-based Advanced Environmental Technologies Inc., the Benton County Solid Waste District is collecting and mixing polystyrene, commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam, into a big tub of Hydro-Sol, a liquid that almost instantly breaks plastic foam down to a reusable polymer. Currently, the district accepts plastic foam from businesses for $ 3 per cubic yard, and the Benton County Road Department is currently testing the polymer as filler for patching county roads.
Public officials in other cities and counties give lots of speeches about sustainability, but Benton County gets 'er done.
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