Earth Day is being celebrated for the 40th time today, and several local institutions have been changing their practices for the benefit of the environment.
Mayor Carolyn McAdams said a big environmental concern for the city is the establishment of a recycling plant.
“Hopefully we can get the recycling plant up and running soon,” McAdams said. “All that trash is filling up the landfill. It’s not only good for the environment, but it’s going to be cost-saving as well.”
The plant is a joint effort of the city and county. It will be housed in a building near Greenwood Middle School formerly occupied by National Picture & Frame Co. and now owned by the city.
The cost of the plant is provided by a grant for $50,000, which was matched with $25,000 apiece from the city and county.
McAdams said the city is looking for more grants to continue to expand recycling efforts.
Leflore County is planning a special day for citizens to dispose of hazardous materials, County Administrator Sam Abraham said.
“On May 8, people can come by the Civic Center and drop off hazardous residential materials such as paints and things like that,” he said.
The county will be paying for the proper disposal of these materials up to a cost of $20,000.
County supervisors are also looking at a landfill gas capture program through a company called Environmental Business Services.
Mississippi Valley State University celebrated Earth Day this morning with an environmental and beautification project at the Child Development Center.
Faculty, staff, students and children enrolled in the Valley day care and kindergarten took part by planting a flower and vegetable garden near the facility located in the former L.S. Rogers Elementary School.
LeFecia Hoover, a member of the MVSU Sustainability Committee and event organizer, said introducing children to planting will teach them lifelong environmental practices.
“We are excited about the opportunity to begin putting earth-friendly practices into place with Valley’s youngest citizens,” Hoover said.
“It is the committee’s goal that the beds will be expanded each year,” Hoover said. “We would love to see the children harvest tomatoes, peppers, melons, squash, for example, and learn how to take care of the plants.”
People on campus are also encouraged to wear blue T-shirts in observance of Clean Water Day.
