According to the Dillon County web site, there are 11 tax supported Dumpster @ locations (Convenience Centersites or Recycling Centers) strategically located throughout the county that are staffed by trained county employees during regular collection hours four days a week. There is hardly any item to be discarded that cannot be accommodated at each site where special dumpsters are available.
In addition to the ‘normal’ trash such as garbage, yard debris, and paper products, there are accommodations for more specific discards such as chemicals, electronics, tires, oil, batteries, filters and other castaways.
But you probably already know all of this so why this column?
The sites are no better than those people who man them. I use the Sandy Ridge Road center that serves the Hamer vicinity. Each gated site is fenced and includes a small building for the site monitor on duty. I assume all sites are similar as the Sandy Ridge site which is sand-clayed and maintained to the highest standard. Solid foundations are provided for the weighty oversized containers. Labels are prominently placed to help patrons use the proper method of disposal. So that a container will be filled to its maximum capacity, there is a pressure device that compacts its contents. Still wondering about this column?
I do not care how many resources you have to provide a public service such as I have mentioned, but the most important element is something that defies a price tag. It’s the supervisor on duty; he is the critical piece of the puzzle that makes things work and without such, you simply have an operation that is rudderless and ineffective. And fortunately at the Sandy Ridge site, there are two men who are role models for site operators.
It is unfortunate that the impression one initially has of a recycling center is one that is one big heap of refuge, scattered randomly. Maybe the idea of one who supervises such a location is equally clouded with misinformation. Wrong on both counts!
The two men at Sandy Ridge who serve their constituents from my observation go well beyond the call of duty. It is not unusual for one to assist in the deposit of disposal materials as a matter of fact. I do not know the details of their job description but whatever it is, both perform well beyond expectations. They give the county a good name.
Although a place for refuse, one might conclude, falsely, that the site lacks a system of cleanliness and military order. That’s where pride comes in. Each attendant seemingly and obviously is proud of the work site and takes great care to see that it is front yard clean. Hardly ever will you notice any extraneous litter.
Try to recall the time when these sites were not available. Remember the roadsides, the ditches, and the clutter that were a result of the lack of this service? Some might question certain governmental tax supported services, but I suspect that one that would be loyally supported by most citizens would be the sites established to make our environment clean and friendly.
Hats off, in my book, to the Sandy Ridge County Employees of the Year.
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Bill Lee
PO Box 128
Hamer, SC 29547