Knox County Mayor's Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Abigail Taylor October 12, 2009
215-4756 office
Midweek Closings at Dutchtown Convenience Center Beginning October 14th
Beginning October 14th, the Knox County Convenience Center on Dutchtown Road will close on Wednesdays and Thursdays to accommodate reconstruction of the garbage compactor pads and the installation of a new site drainage system. This alternative schedule is anticipated to last four to six weeks, depending on the weather. Citizens may call 966-1701 to hear a phone message with the closing schedule each day.
When reconstruction is completed, the new center will:
- be 30 feet wider
- have more recycling options
- have a new office with a recycling information center
- have a new traffic flow pattern to increase safety and reduce backups onto Dutchtown Road
- have a turn lane on Dutchtown Road
- include a Goodwill attended donation center
- replace the bulky waste open-top boxes with a compactor unit
- have a fully paved area for loose metal, appliances and tires
The Dutchtown Convenience Center has the second highest traffic and disposal volume in Knox County, second only to the Halls Convenience Center. In 2008, the center handled more than 8,000 tons of trash and 850 tons of recyclables. The center averages 1,400 vehicles a day with more than 2,000 visitors on Saturdays. Wednesdays are the lowest volume days.
The closest alternate center is the Karns Center located at 6818 Oak Ridge Highway. All of the Knox County Convenience Centers provide citizens with nearby locations to dispose of waste and to recycle scrap metal, cardboard, newspapers, aluminum cans, steel cans, plastics #1-7, and glass.
“Recycling saves tens of thousands of tax dollars every year and it’s the right thing to do,” said Drew Thurman, Knox County Recycling Coordinator.
With the exception of Karns and Carter, each Center also offers mixed paper recycling. For more information on recycling in Knox County visit http://www.knoxcounty.org/solid_waste/recycling.php
