With an expanding plastics recycling program and a new energy saving project, Surry County officials are taking steps for the county to go green.

At their meeting on Monday, the Surry County commissioners voted unanimously to move forward with the county’s plastics recycling program and with an energy savings contract.

Recycling

The county will now have three more locations for plastic recycling as a result of the board’s decision. The commissioners first approved a pilot program for plastics recycling at their Sept. 8 meeting. A 30-yard container was then placed at the North Surry Convenience Center for people to recycle their plastics.

County Manager Dennis Thompson explained to the commissioners on Monday night that the pilot program is going well and that the public works department recommends expanding it.

“We would like to extend that activity to at least three other centers so that we can say countywide we have a plastics recycling opportunity,” said Thompson.

Commissioner Craig Hunter said, “At the minimum we need to do that.”

Commissioner Jim Harrell Jr. remarked, “I would love to see us do it as soon as possible.”

In addition to the North Surry location, recycling containers for plastics will now be located at the Elkin Recycling Center on Wildlife Road, the Wilmoth Road Recycling Center in Dobson and the Ararat Recycling Center off of N.C. 268 in Pilot Mountain.

Thompson and public works employees estimate that the containers will be placed at the additional locations sometime near the beginning of the year. The containers are now being manufactured.

Beginning Oct. 1, recycling of plastic bottles became a state mandate. Prior to the North Surry pilot program, county residents could only recycle plastics at the landfill off of Old Highway 52 in Mount Airy.

Soon residents across the county will have quick access to plastics recycling locations. The public works department request that people take the lids off of their bottles and clean them out before dropping them off at the centers.

County officials are also meeting with the schools to see how they can best serve them with the recycling program.

On Monday, Commissioner Hunter suggested looking for grant money that would fund igloo-shaped recycling bins for each of the schools in the county and a truck that would pick them up. He said he had seen these igloos at an athletic stadium.

“I think that’s a good idea,” said Commissioner Bill Hamlin.

Hunter reminded the board of what someone had told them once about recycling. He said that education was the key and that it started with training kids.

Commissioner Paul Johnson also suggested having collection tanks for motor oil at the centers like some other counties have.

“I wondered why we’re not providing that service for our citizens,” Johnson.

The county is looking into further recycling options for citizens.

Energy savings

On Monday night the commissioners also voted to move forward with creating an energy savings contract with Johnson Controls.

Two months ago Steve Zip of Johnson Controls gave a presentation to the board about how an energy audit and contract could help the county save money on energy costs. He said the project would help the county become more “green.”

The board then authorized the county manager to advertise for proposals. Johnson Controls was the only company to submit a proposal, so the commissioners agreed this week for a contract to be created and voted on. Thompson said a contract should be ready for the board to look over at an upcoming meeting.

Thompson said it looks like the project is a go unless something unforeseen happens with the contract.

Johnson Controls will perform an investment grade audit of the energy use in county buildings. The firm’s workers will look at equipment and use patterns to see if there are any energy savings the county could make.

If the county pursues the suggestions made by Johnson Controls, the improvements are supposed to pay for themselves over time or the company will have to pay the shortfall. Thompson said equipment would be paid for over several years with the savings made through the more energy-efficient equipment.

“So it’s essentially a self-funding proposal,” explained Thompson.

Updates could include projects such as replacing old heating and cooling equipment or purchasing a centralized energy management system.

Johnson Controls will also develop a strategic energy plan for Surry County at no additional fee, which is a requirement to qualify the county to apply for State Energy office grant funds. February is the nearest cycle for applying for grants. Thompson said these funds, if received, would probably be used for additional projects.

On Monday, Hunter said, “I’d like for them to look at all the green energy initiatives that the county could take the lead on and be an example for.”

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.