Bluegrass Goes Green and Clark publications, proudly presents, Mercer County. This is a story of what five dedicated individuals, can do in twenty-four days, to change a community. Here is our story and what we accomplished. FACT(S): -Last year, Americans trashed over 180 billion tons of recyclable materials. -The US is the number one trash producing country in the world, at 1,609 lbs per person. - This means that 5% of the worlds population generates 40% of the worlds waste. -Recycling saves energy, conserves natural resources, reduced landfill space, reduces pollution and improves environmental quality. CONT Currently Mercer co. has no curbside recycle, no drop off sites in the county nor the town of Harrodsburg. - Mercer Co. also has no recycling for any of its outdoor sports facilities, this includes: 100 acres of school sports complexes, two football fields, 8 tennis courts, 2 soccer fields, 1 baseball and 1 softball diamond and 2 KHSAA track fields (that have NO recycling containers). We decided we wanted to change all of that!!!

 Conserve landfill space and reduce incineration  Reduce litter and county dumping  Conserve natural resources and extend the supply of natural resources  Reduce Pollution and  Improve environmental quality We implemented a recycling program with these future benefits:

- 80% were for the fiscal courts decision to have mandatory waste pick-up. 20% were against the fiscal courts decision % believed that waste reduction, conservation of natural resources, and conservation of landfill space through recycling are important issues facing Mercer County. - 60% recycle and 40% do not.

 We collected data on the waste stream flow  We researched recycling efforts in Mercer County  We took a tour of the Mercer County recycling center  We made a survey and surveyed the town (see packet)  We wrote letters to the editor of the Harrodsburg Herald  We had three interviews  We attended two fiscal court meetings on July 14 th and on July 28 th  We made brochures (see packet)  We volunteered with Habitat For Humanity  We did a Herrington Lake clean up