Hippe Recycle Center
In 1985 Harold and Sigrid Hippe began the recycling program in Fairfield Bay with the help of a group of volunteers. The Fairfield Bay Lions Club was collecting aluminum cans and newspapers as a fundraiser. Later, the two efforts combined and plastic bottles and other recyclables were added to the program.
In 1995, the Van Buren County Recycle Center was built and the Hippe’s Recycle Center became a sub-station and serves the eastern part of Van Buren County plus several towns in Cleburne County. With the addition of the Education Program, the site has evolved into a full service recycle location.
Did You Know:
• In January 2016, a commercial shredder was added for a safe and convenient way to destroy paperwork.
• The Recycle Center collects and processes close to 300,000 pounds of recyclables and E-Waste each year.
• The Hippe Recycle Center is the only Recycle Center in the state of Arkansas operating with full time volunteers working four-hour shifts every fourth week.
• Our motto is “a visit to the Hippe Recycle and Education Center is a social event and a treasure hunt.” The center is also a collection point for many other items at the “take it, it’s free” section.
Here are some recycle guidelines:
Are you still throwing everything in the trash can because you aren’t exactly sure what you can recycle? Or perhaps you don’t think your few items would make a difference? Here are some reasons to encourage you to recycle.
It takes less energy to create new items from recycled materials than it does to create new products from raw materials. Mining minerals and milling trees into lumber requires vast amounts of energy.
Recycling allows us to reuse materials many times to conserve natural resources while creating the products we use in our everyday lives.
Burning garbage or throwing waste into landfills produces byproducts that pollute the environment. Runoff from landfills and metals like mercury find their way into streams, rivers and oceans, fish, and eventually into human beings, harming our health.
The Hippe Recycle Center in Fairfield Bay has provided the following guidelines to help you identify recyclable items you use every day. Remember, first of all, that items should be clean. Please don’t just open a jar of grape jelly or a can of corn or a jug of milk and throw it in a bag to recycle without rinsing it first.
PLASTICS: 3 Categories: Transparent, Opaque and Solid. Look on the bottom of the container for the number 1, 2 or 3 within a triangle.
#1: Transparent bottles can be clear, green, brown, etc..If you hold it up to the light and can see through it, most likely it’s a #1. Examples: soft drinks, water and sports drink bottles, dish detergent, mouthwash and liquor bottles. #1 plastics that are not recyclable are wide-tops such as fruit and food containers.
#2: Opaque bottles are cloudy or light gray such as milk jugs, windshield cleaner, cleaning solutions, cat litter containers, etc.
#2: Solid container examples are laundry detergents, bleach,, fabric softeners, white milk jugs, Folgers coffee containers and shampoo products. Some #2’s are not recyclable. They are wide-mouth containers like whipped topping, yogurt tubs, cream cheese tubs, black plastic food trays and oil and pesticide containers.
#3, #4, #5, #6 & #7 are not recyclable. Examples are brown medicine bottles, fast food cups, plant pots, styrofoam, etc. Plastic bags are not taken at this time.
PAPER: Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, office paper, etc… should be placed in the collection bins located next to the Cardboard Bailing Machine.
Hardcover books, paperback books, telephone books and any magazines and catalogs over 1/4” thick are put into the cardboard bin next to the paint rack.
Shredded paper of any size is accepted and goes into an identified collection bag.
CARDBOARD: Corrugated boxes (which are the honeycomb design between two layers of paper), paper bags and food free pizza boxes are the only cardboard items we can recycle. The cardboard is placed in the bailer.
We do not recycle food containers such as cereal, frozen meals, hamburger helper, soft drink boxes, file folders, paper towel rolls and all other light cardboard. Also, waxed containers such as milk, orange juice and ice cream tubs are no longer recycled.
GLASS: No glass of any kind is accepted at this time.
ALUMINUM CANS: We accept soft drink cans and other beverage containers, beer cans, aluminum cat food cans, foil and disposable pans and trays.
STEEL CANS: Labels can be left on . Please make sure containers are clean. Place them in a marked collection bag. No scrap steel accepted.
E-WASTE: We recycle electronics like computers, printers, microwaves, televisions, etc…for a small disposal fee. If the item works and is left on the “Take Some, Leave Some” table, the disposal fee must still be paid.
BATTERIES: We accept all types of batteries, rechargeable, alkaline and acid core batteries.
HAZARDOUS WASTE: We do not accepts PCB’s, asbestos, oil antifreeze, insecticides, herbicides, any liquids.
We do not accept stoves, freezers, washing machines, etc…
PAINT CANS: We accept paint cans of any kind.
Note: It is your responsibility to sort your own recyclables, although the volunteer on duty will guide you.