According to SWACO, 13,000 tons of recycled materials were collected in 2008.  This year, the number has risen by 15 percent.

"It's easy (and) doesn't take any extra time," said John Grundy, a Grove City resident.  "It's just fast and convenient."

Beth Lozier, a Dublin spokeswoman, said the city recycles more than 1/3 of its total waste from residents.

"We've rolled out larger recycle containers over the past five years and we've actually seen an 8 percent increase in recycling," Lozier said.

Businesses make the biggest impact on the recycling scene, 10TV's Jeff Hogan reported.

Kevin George at the Columbus Dispatch printing facility headed a project that recycled 96 percent of the material used when it replaced an old roof.

"Businesses have a large place in that because we need to be the leaders in the community," George said.  "We're the largest generators of waste."

John Remy of SWACO said that more than half of the material that comes to its landfill comes from businesses and about 40 percent of it is paper or cardboard that could be recycled.

"If we took that 40 percent out of there, that would be a savings in terms of landfill space and could potentially be a savings for businesses," Remy said.

In all, SWACO reported it took in 845,000 tons of trash.  This year, it expects a 45-ton drop by year end.

The Dispatch Printing Co. also owns WBNS-10TV.  10TV has also been honored for its green efforts because our news crews drive more energy-efficient vehicles.  No Styrofoam cups are permitted at the station.

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