The holidays are a great time to review the past year, reflect on what went well and recommit to goals for the next year.

Overall, 2009 was a great year for recycling and waste reduction. From the drop-off recycling center to several events and a new business endeavor, residents' efforts have given good reason to raise egg nog filled glasses, stand under the mistletoe and think about how the community and environment have benefited.

Drop-off center

The Overland Park drop-off recycling center, 11921 Hardy, continues its success with an average of 387 customers, each recycling about 32 pounds, every day. During an average month the drop-off center collects enough newspaper to save nearly 200 trees and enough scrap metal to build five midsize sedans.

Electronics Recycling

New partners and 185 volunteers made two electronics recycling events in April and November a smashing success, with 205,183 pounds of materials collected.

Paper Shredding Event

Three shredding events netted 95,000 pounds of sensitive papers for destruction and recycling. As 42 percent of Johnson County's waste is paper and paper products, this amount of paper makes a big difference in reducing waste going to the landfill, where space is limited.

Large Item pick up

During the large item pick up days, 120,000 pounds of appliances were collected and recycled.

Glass Recycling

The purple Ripple Glass containers that are placed throughout the city are filling fast. Since late November, 10 tons of glass have been collected in Overland Park.

With 2010 approaching, new challenges will create new opportunities to re-think how to reduce, reuse and recycle the 4.7 pounds of waste each Johnson County resident generates each day.

Environmental Programs Coordinator Jim Twigg believes that 2010 will be a year of discussion, debate and change for solid waste and recycling in Overland Park and Johnson County.

If you'd like to get involved you are invited to volunteer for events or attend the Overland Park Solid Waste Task Force monthly meetings. For more information, contact Jim Twigg at jim.twigg@opkansas.org or 913-895-6273.