Oct. 12--Recycling options exist in Pauls Valley, although some materials have to be hauled to Norman because no local sites accept all types of recyclables.

For several years more than a decade ago, curbside recycling was offered in Pauls Valley, Mayor Tim Gamble said. The city provided color-coded containers and regular pick-up service. But, underutilization led to the program's discontinuation, he said. No recent discussions of a city-sponsored recycling program have taken place, Gamble said.

Nonetheless, dedicated recyclers can unload plenty of material within the city limits, and in some cases volunteers will pick recyclable materials up at businesses.

The Garvin County Learning Center operates a recycling collection program, gathering cardboard, newsprint and white office paper, supervisor Sarah Winkleman said.

Learning center clients collect office paper at various spots around the community, visiting each site usually weekly, she said. The center provides businesses with labeled trash cans to hold recyclable paper.

Learning center clients also pick up cardboard and newsprint at local businesses. And, the learning center owns and maintains the covered wagons labeled "cardboard only" that are located throughout the city. Anyone may deposit their flattened cardboard boxes into the wagons.

People may take their aluminum cans to the learning center at 1800 Enterprise and be paid for the cans, Winkleman said. The facility is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. People can also haul their white office paper, newspapers and cardboard to the learning center, she said.

While uncertain exactly when the learning center's recycling program began, Winkleman said it's been in place for years.

"The objective is to provide vocational opportunities for our clients," she said.

Learning center clients also offer a shredding program, she said. Paper is shredded and then recycled.

Nearly any type of metal can be recycled at MR Metals in Pauls Valley.

Owner Sue Miller said her business accepts aluminum, copper and brass. Customers are paid for metals by MR Metals, but Miller said she'll accept donations if people want to get rid of things like appliances.

MR Metals is equipped to accept refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners if the freon is removed. The business also accepts entire vehicles, transmissions, engines, all appliances, "just about anything that's metal," Miller said.

People can drop their metal off at either of MR Metals' two locations in Pauls Valley -- 200 S. Walnut St. or 916 S. Chickasaw.

Both Miller and Winkleman said they've seen an increase in the number of people recycling aluminum for payment, in part because of the economic downturn.

Also in Pauls Valley, shoppers at Sav-a-Lot can reuse bags or boxes to tote their groceries home.

People can deposit plastic shopping bags and plastic beverage bottles in containers located in the Pauls Valley Walmart.

Pauls Valley residents who want to recycle clear, green or brown glass, steel or tin cans or plastic milk jugs can haul the items to Norman, where the city operates three drop-off sites. The recycling drop-off bins are located in the Hollywood Shopping Center at Lindsey and McGee; near Hobby Lobby at 24th Avenue NW and Main Street; and at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, at 1499 N. Porter.

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Copyright (c) 2009, Pauls Valley Daily Democrat, Okla.

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