Dear recycling friends,

Over the past 40 years, your support has enabled the Athens-Hocking Recycling Centers, Inc. (AHRC) to significantly enhance recycling, composting, electronics, and other waste diversion efforts in Athens and Hocking counties. In 2023 alone, with your help, we achieved remarkable results:

10,466,520 pounds of recycling transformed into products like cardboard boxes and lawn furniture
76,054 pounds of food waste converted into compost for regional farms and gardens
18,120 pounds of electronics either resold or stripped for precious metals
201,080 pounds of scrap metal repurposed into raw materials for manufacturing

However, since losing our contract with the City of Athens, the funding from service fees is no longer sufficient to sustain our mission. To continue our vital work, we have set a fundraising goal of $200,000 for 2024. We are pleased to share that we have already received a generous donation of $100,000, bringing us halfway to our goal. We need your support to bridge the remaining gap and ensure AHRC can keep making a difference in our community.

Without sufficient funding, AHRC faces the potential closure of its operations, resulting in the loss of 38 local jobs, including positions held by several formerly incarcerated people and individuals with developmental differences who have become vital and productive members of the team. Additionally, businesses and residents will lose their curbside recycling and compost services, significantly impacting waste diversion efforts and the overall environmental health of our community.

Your contributions will help us maintain our current operations and support future projects, including:

The creation of a year-round Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM), with drop-off locations in Hocking and Athens counties for household hazardous waste, electronics, textiles, styrofoam, books, scrap metal, yard waste, mattresses, paper shredding, and other materials.
A glass recycling facility in Logan.
Developing a reuse plan for the region’s wastewater-treatment sludge to avoid landfill disposal.

Our mission continues, even as we transition to the Southeast Ohio Recycling Terminal (SORT) Council of Governments. The operations and goals of AHRC will remain the same, ensuring that our region stays clean and safe while preventing useful materials from ending up in landfills.

We deeply appreciate any donation you can make to support our efforts during this transitional period. If you have any questions regarding your donation, please feel free to contact me via email or at the phone number below.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Crissa Cummings

Executive Director, Athens Hocking Recycling and Refuse

AHRC Fundraiser at Little Fish on July 3 from 5-8p

By Athens-Hocking County Recycling Centers Inc

AHRC Fundraiser at Little Fish on July 3 from 5-8p