1. 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!!!

2.  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:

3. - 80% were for the fiscal courts decision to have mandatory waste pick-up. 20% were against the fiscal courts decision. - 100% 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.

4.  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