Staff Writer

GARLAND — With a state law pushing for more municipal assistance to encourage the recycling of plastics and other materials, many residents of the southern Sampson town are following suit by adhering to the earth-friendly practice.

At last month’s town meeting, commissioner Mike Toler questioned whether residents were doing their part in the recycling effort, noting how some residents were not sorting their garbage and, instead, were just adding more trash to their containers. The end result, he said, was trash spewing out of garbage cans and into other people’s yards in some neighborhoods.

Following that discussion, mayor Anthony Johnson suggested a possible need for some type of incentive for residents to take part in the recycle effort. However, while the town may be looking for such incentives to help encourage the earth-friendly practice, some may not even require such motivation.

One such person is Sharon Herring, a cashier at the Corner Store in Garland. She is already doing her part since it is already becoming standard practice at the place she leaves her trash.

“I know that the trash has to be separated. It is required to be separated when I take it to the dump,” Herring established.

Resident Betty Melvin has found it convenient to recycle since her son-in-law collects her trash and recyclables for her. Knowing that she has helped she commented, “All I have to do is keep my plastics separated.”

As a resident who chooses to recycle, she does feel that if there were some type of incentive out there, more people would take advantage of the greener practice.

Another recycler, Bonnie Simmons, has been collecting aluminum cans for several years now.

“I recycle aluminum, but that is all,” said Simmons.

In her neighborhood in Garland, Simmons pointed out that not many have taken to the recycling practice. “I don’t think many are recycling because I don’t live in an area where they provide the blue bins,” Simmons commented. However, if a container or an incentive were provided, she felt it just might entice more people to do their part.

James Boykin, an active recycler, has not only started to recycle his own trash, but he also helps out the local senior center by separating its trash as well.

“I have been doing this for the last two years. I just like to keep things in a neat, orderly manner,” Boykin commented.

However, while many are enthusiastically embracing the greener practice, a few have not caught on to the idea.

One such person is Michael Murphy, who doesn’t recycle, since, he said, no one living around him does either. In addition, Murphy pointed out that he felt incentives, such as winning a prize, would still not change his mind about recycling.

“I still won’t because I won’t win anything,” Murphy commented.

Another resident, William Lee Washington expressed that he has not really gotten into recycling.

“I stay by myself, and I just want to keep my stuff,” said Washington.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.