A local civic club wants to join forces with the city of Yazoo City in an effort to establish a recycling program within the community.
Vernon Sikes, representing the Yazoo City Lions Club, appeared before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen during its Monday meeting to share the benefits of supporting such a program.
The idea of a recycling effort has been discussed with city leaders before, but nothing solid has ever been established in the past.
Sikes spoke with each board member individually about recycling within the city prior to this week’s meeting. And he said he felt good about the level of support shared from the board.
“I came expecting to have to give a hard sale for this proposal but after speaking to you to each one of you for the past few weeks, I don’t have to say anything else I guess,” Sikes said. “You appear to be on board with recycling.”
Sikes recycles in his own household, and he said it’s an essay and beneficial thing one can do for their community.
The amount of time it takes for some items to decompose is shocking, Sikes continued.
“I learned that paper decomposes in about a month,” he said. “Plastic takes 200 to 450 years to decompose. You know how long it takes glass to decompose? I dont know how scientists figure this out, but they say a million years.”
Aside from helping the environment, Sikes said a local recycling program will also assist with garbage collection.
“We wont have nearly as much garbage to pick up,” Sikes said. “In fact, in my house because I recycle, I put our garbage can out about twice a month. It’s a win-win situation.”
The board took no firm action on the matter. But they did discuss possibly forming a committee with likeminded citizens.
Sikes said the Lions Club is willing to assist in any effort with the idea.
“The Lions Club wants to do whatever you think we need to do,” he said. “And we want to thank you for taking such a good position on this.”
