Want To Help Keep Recycling Going in Fremont?

Volunteers needed at new site
By Lola Harmon-Ramsey
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The County of Newaygo successfully opened a new recycling center in Fremont, Michigan on February 6, 2019.  This prototype site is fenced in and only operates during an “open hours” format with volunteers to assist residents with their recycling.  Current hours of operation are Monday 10am-1pm, Wednesday 1-5pm, and Saturday 9am-2pm.  
Volunteers greet recyclers, assist users with their recyclables, view the recyclable materials for contamination, educate users, and answer questions. Contamination of recyclables has been a growing problem and this Fremont prototype site helps to ensure that the items that are being recycled are clean items and recyclable within the program. This Fremont site also doesn’t allow for after-hours dumping which is also helping to alleviate contamination problems.
Since the opening of the Fremont site many volunteers have joined the effort, but more volunteers are needed to continue to stay open.  The County of Newaygo is now accepting youth volunteers (under 18 years old) to join our program.  The recycling initiative would count towards mandatory high school volunteer hours if students are interested in volunteering at the Fremont site.  
The requirements to volunteer within the Newaygo County Recycling program are a basic background check, a short volunteer presentation and educational meeting and your willingness to help one day (or more!) a month for roughly four hours per shift. Any youth volunteer under the age of 18 would be required to have a parent or guardian signature, attend a short volunteer orientation and educational session, and willingness to participate.  An adult would be in attendance for any minor volunteers.  Service groups like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church youth groups, 4-H or other youth service organizations would be welcome to join the recycling initiative.
Volunteers of any age can contact April at the Newaygo County Drain Commission Office, 231-689-7213 or [email protected] more information.

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