CENTERVILLE, Ga. — Centerville recently received a $324,315 grant to upgrade and relocate its recycling facility.
The funding, provided by the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, will help meet the community’s growing recycling needs.
For longtime volunteer and former city councilman Randall Wright, this expansion is more than just an improvement — it's a crucial step forward.
Wright, a dedicated recycler, spends his days collecting recyclables from around the city and delivering them to the local recycling center. He is a familiar face, greeting residents with a smile as he makes his rounds.
Wright said he's responsible for keeping the recycling bins ready for use.
"Just replace them and keep it empty so people have a place to put them," Wright said. “We’ll do this about a dozen times. I like serving the people, and this is a good way to mingle with people you know. I am doing my part too."
Wright said he's volunteered countless hours at the recycling center over the last 16 years.
"This container here is pulled every two days," he said. “It fills up just that quick. Between the plastic and cardboard, we probably have about two trucks full each week.”
The current recycling facility, operational since 2002, has struggled to keep up with the community's needs, especially after the Perry and Warner Robins locations closed.
"Every time I'm over here, people are talking about ‘When are you moving? Glad you're moving! You need the space,’” he said. “It's made a big impact on the community.”
The new grant will allow the city to purchase updated equipment, including a new can crusher, additional plastics compactor, and a roll-off truck. The facility is expected to open in the spring of 2025.
"It's jam-packed here,” he said. “So it'll be spread out more. People won't be stepping on each other."
Until the new center is completed, Wright acknowledged he will continue his volunteer work with patience and dedication.
In the end, Wright said doesn't mind working through nearly 100-degree days because he wants to make a difference.
Centerville hopes to have the new recycling center up and running by the spring of next year. They accept donations on-site to help cover the costs of transporting recyclables to nearby plants.
The center will be relocated just half a mile away from a property owned by the city on Elberta Road near the Public Works Department.
City officials say the funds will be used for a new can crusher, updating and replacing the electrical systems for three current crushers, purchasing an additional plastics compactor, purchasing three awnings to cover existing and new equipment, purchasing a roll-off truck to allow the city to more efficiently empty full bins and increase the capacity of the center.
For more information about the Centerville recycling center, visit their website.