Hall's pink recycling bin now in place

GAINESVILLE - One of Hall County's busiest compactor sites has always promoted "going green," but now it's also proudly displaying the color pink.

Gaines Ferry Compactor Site's single-stream receiver, where residents drop their recyclables, has been painted pink to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"We thought this would be a great way to participate in the awareness campaign because breast cancer is a disease that has touched so many lives over the years," said Johnnie Vickers, director of Hall County's Solid Waste Department.

In addition to raising awareness, he said he also hopes it catches people's eyes.

"I hope this also serves as a reminder to citizens that they can and should recycle," he said.

Vickers said the bins were painted pink by solid waste department staff as well as inmates. He said they ordered decals for the bins that say things like, "recycling is everyone's responsibility" and "find the cure." Additional signage encouraging citizens to recycle has also been ordered for all of Hall County's compactor sites.

He said the pink receiver will rotate between Hall County's busiest compactor sites. A second pink receiver is also being painted and will be implemented into the system in the next few weeks.

"We think this is a wonderful way to bring awareness to two important issues: finding a cure for breast cancer and protecting the environment," Vickers said. "We're happy to contribute to these causes in whatever way we can, and we hope the public is inspired to do the same."

The decision to paint the single-stream receiver pink was discussed and endorsed by the Hall County Board of Commissioners earlier this month. (See separate story. Link below.)