South Messenger - June 26th, 2022

More documents

Recommendations

Info

PAGE 6 - SOUTH MESSENGER - June 26, 2022 SWACO survey New research from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) shows central Ohio residents support existing diversion goals, view recycling and composting as important in their community, and desire more opportunities to reduce their reliance on the county landfill. In February 2022, SWACO, working with Columbus-based EMC Research, conducted a representative sample survey of 1,300 Franklin County residents inquiring about their attitudes and behaviors toward reducing waste and gathering opinions on local recycling efforts. Ninety-two percent of residents reported that they believe recycling reflects well on their community and that cities and governments should be promoting recycling and composting. Eightynine percent of residents support central Ohio’s efforts to reach 75 percent diversion by 2032 and an additional 82 percent believe that recycling and reducing waste can help reduce the impacts of climate change on their community. “Reducing waste, recycling, and using our resources more efficiently have become part of the fabric of our community and these results affirm that residents value their ability to act sustainably,” said Kyle O’Keefe, director of innovation and programs for SWACO. Furthermore, the majority of residents find it to be convenient and easy to recycle, with 66 percent of households reporting that they make above average efforts to do so. However, when asked about barriers to recycling — 74 percent of residents reported confusion about keeping track of what items are accepted for recycling. Franklin County’s residential recycling program has changed over the last couple of years, expanding to accept more materials and placing stronger emphasis on education about the correct way to recycle. To help improve recycling confidence, SWACO has been working with local communities to deploy the Recycle Right, Make A Difference campaign which has resulted in documented improvements in recycling behaviors. When asked about the specific issue of food waste — the single largest source of material in the waste stream — 83 percent of central Ohioans are concerned about the amount of food being wasted in our community and the vast majority support a curbside food waste collection program for composting. In recent years, SWACO has launched a collaborative food waste initiative to help combat food waste throughout the region which has led to the development of new services and programs such as publicly available drop-offs for food scraps and the launching of the Save More Than Food campaign. SWACO is currently working with regional communities to explore the development of new composting infrastructure that would help to enhance food waste diversion efforts and enable curbside collection programs. Residents also expressed a strong desire to see the private sector prioritize sustainability with 73 percent of residents reporting a greater likelihood to shop at businesses that use environmentally friendly products and recycle or compost their waste, while 78 percent of residents stated they believe businesses should be required to offer recycling to customers and employees, and an additional 80 percent desire to see recycling or composting efforts started or improved in their place of work or school. “Supporting the private sector to strengthen their waste reduction and diversion efforts remains one of the biggest opportunities for our region. More and more companies recognize that sustainability and reducing waste have to be a core part of their business, and we’re here to help them,” said O’Keefe. In the upcoming months, SWACO will be launching new programs and funding to help businesses establish best practices for recycling and waste reduction. Reaching the region’s diversion goals is possible only through collaboration between residents, business owners and both the public and private sectors, so data collected through the public opinion poll is critical to better understanding the barriers and opportunities to move forward. While, the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill, owned by SWACO, receives more than a million tons of material every year, the vast majority of those items have the potential to be diverted either through programs existing today or with the introduction of new infrastructure and programs for which SWACO is already advancing plans. Visit swaco.org. Rail expansion www.columbusmessenger.com The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is an opportunity to make Ohio more prosperous. The bill includes the most funding for Amtrak since its founding in 1970. The Columbus region is the largest region without passenger railroad service in the country. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and the Columbus Partnership formed a group of public and private sector leaders to prepare for the expansion of passenger rail in the Columbus region. With significant population centers, growing rural areas and cities, and major investments in economic development, Ohio and the Columbus region represent the best business case for new passenger rail routes and service in the country, according to a statement released by MORPC and the Columbus Partnership. Recently, the Federal Railroad Administration released guidance for their Corridor Identification Program. According to the statement released by MORPC and the Columbus Partnership, “We are encouraged by Governor DeWine’s request to the Ohio Rail Development Commission to engage with Amtrak to determine the feasibility and cost of routes. We stand ready to compete for this investment in our growing region and look forward to being briefed by the Ohio Rail Development Commission on these efforts.”
www.columbusmessenger.com Groveport’s Fourth of July celebration is back By Rick Palsgrove Managing Editor Groveport really knows how to celebrate the Fourth of July. This year’s celebration features the traditional Main Street parade, music, food vendors, kids’ activities, and fireworks on July 4. “This year’s celebration will be bigger and better with the addition of more than 10 food vendors, four different musical acts, and elevated kids activities,” said Groveport Community Affairs Department Executive Assistant Kristiauna Trelay. “New this year will be a video game truck that accommodates 16 to 20 people playing the latest games individually or all at once.” The Main Street parade will start at 11 a.m. on July 4. Staging for the parade will be at the Groveport Recreation Center. The parade will start at Richardson Road and travel west on Main Street, then turn right onto Hendron Road and end at Glendening Elementary. Mayor Lance Westcamp announced this year’s parade grand marshal will be John Hougland, a retired pharmacist who operated the Groveport Pharmacy on Main Street for many years and who also served as a city councilman. “John has been a big part of our community for many years and he was especially helpful during his time on city council,” said Westcamp. “He is well deserving of this honor. He has done a lot for this community.” Added Trelay, “Former Councilman John Hougland is well known in the community. He’s a former local business owner and a very active resident.” The fireworks will be launched at dusk on July 4 from Palm Pond in Heritage Park on Wirt Road. Tune into radio frequency 88.3 to hear background music during the fireworks. “Groveport has one of the best fireworks displays in the area,” said Trelay. Musical entertainment on July 4 begins on the main stage, located in the parking lot of Crooked Alley KidSpace, with Krash Landing from 2-3:30 p.m.; Whiskey Ridge from 4-5:30 p.m.; Ryder Band from 6-7:30 p.m.; and Willie Nelson Mandela from 8- 9:45 p.m. Summer is here and its the season for calls about orphaned and abandoned animals. Metro Parks is unable to rehabilitate wildlife, but there are some steps you can take. According to Metro Parks officials, if you find an animal in a park that is orphaned, abandoned, or injured, leave it alone and call the ranger cell number, posted on bulletin boards and around the park. Metro Parks wildlife advice Messenger photo by Rick Palsgrove The city of Groveport celebrates the Fourth of July in a big way each year with a parade down Main Street, music, fun activities, and fireworks. Pictured here is the American Legion Robert Dutro Post 486 honor guard that lead last year’s parade. “All kids’ activities will be set up in the grassy area by the baseball fields off Wirt Road,” said Trelay. Food vendors will also be located along Wirt Road. “Food vendors must be in place by 9 a.m. and will be serving once they have set up in the parking lot behind Birch Tavern,” said Trelay. The kids’ parade will take place July 4 with staging at 10 a.m. in the Middle School Central parking lot. Kid can decorate their bikes, wagons, and scooters in red, white, and blue. The kids’ parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at Middle School Central, 751 Main St., then proceeds west on Main Street, south on Oak Street to Crooked Alley Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Road. Per a city ordinance, no animals are permitted in the festival event areas at any time during the city’s Fourth of July celebration. Sometimes, babies are left alone while mom is looking for food, and will return to the nest, other times they will require care or monitoring. Do not take them out of the park. If you find an animal in your yard, leave it be. Call the Ohio Wildlife Center 614- 793-9453 and leave a message, or visit their website at ohiowildlifecenter.org for information on how to help. June 26, 2022 - SOUTH MESSENGER - PAGE 7
Page 1 and 2: Messenger South June 26 - July 9, 2
Page 3 and 4: www.columbusmessenger.com June 26,
Page 5: www.columbusmessenger.com June 26,
Page 9 and 10: www.columbusmessenger.com w June 26
Page 11 and 12: www.columbusmessenger.com xCome & G

South Messenger - June 26th, 2022

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?