SWEEP, Solid Waste Environmental Education Panel, is the volunteer recycling committee in Rutherford County. We work closely with the County Solid Waste Department and GDS to promote recycling.

SWEEP was instrumental in creating the 10 Convenience Centers for county residents to dispose of household garbage and to recycle cans, bottles, jugs, newspaper, metal, and furniture.

SWEEP championed the Swap Shop at Gilkey Convenience Center that opened in April 2005. This is a state and county funded building for residents to leave "not-ready-for-the-dump" goods for others to take away.

GDS in conjuction with SWEEP has a facility for taking any type of clean paper for recycling. This includes catalogs and slick magazines that shouldn't be put into the newspaper dumpster or with the curbside recyclables. GDS is located at 135 Fairground Rd in Forest City. Hours for drop off are 9AM to 3PM Monday thru Friday.

SWEEP welcomes new members. We meet the first Friday of every month. Call 287-0069 for more information.

Call the Solid Waste Administration at 287-6125 for information about where the Convenience Centers are. Or get a new county map that shows the locations. These are available at the Chamber of Commerce.