Knox County Parks and Recreation has expanded the recycling program, begun last fall at John Tarleton Park, to two other parks with community-wide sports programs.  Tommy Schumpert Park, 6400 Fountain City Road, and the Knox County Sportspark, 8050 Oak Ridge Highway, will now have recycling containers for bottles and cans.

In partnership with Waste Connections, Inc.  and Ijams Nature Center, Knox County initiated the recycling program during football season at John Tarleton Park. One-half of the trash containers were retrofitted with openings in the lid and recycling labels. Waste Connections then picked up the recycling on their regular route. After a few weeks with representatives from Ijams educating the public, the program was very successful, significantly decreasing the number of trash containers needed.

“We’ve been looking at different ways to be “green” in our parks system,” said Doug Bataille, Senior Director of Parks for the County.  “Because of the number of people who attend our sports programs, and the fact that our concessions contractor only sells drinks in plastic bottles, recycling just makes sense,” he added.  The two parks added to the program are currently hosting community baseball and softball programs. Other times during the year, the parks feature soccer, rugby, football, and ultimate Frisbee leagues. With the increased attendance at these events, the number of recyclable containers greatly increases.  “We are hoping to cut our trash output in half,” Bataille said.