Chickamauga is still discussing how to relaunch its recycling program, which recently stopped due to an increase in fees from hauler RockTenn. In the meantime, locals can take a variety of aluminum and metal to LaFayette, which is home to three recycling options.
People from Walker County and surrounding counties can drop off items at Ballinger’s Recycling, C and D Recycling or Joe’s Recycling. Each facility pays for the recycled items and, depending on the day, the amount could be higher.
Identification is required for people dropping off copper.
Ballinger’s Recycling
In operation since 1997, Ballinger’s Recycling, is celebrating 17 years in the recycling business.
Located at 1007 S. Chattanooga St., Ballinger’s is open Sunday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We recycle copper, brass and stainless steel, aluminum cans and all types of aluminum,” said owner Joe Ballinger, of LaFayette. “We get mostly aluminum cans. We buy a lot of aluminum. Sometimes the pricing [amount given per item] changes daily.”
Ballinger said he enjoys buying recycling and stays busy unloading materials.
To find out daily amounts given for recyclable items, call Ballinger’s Recycling at 706-638-4344.
C and D Recycling
Many people probably pass by C and D Recycling on a daily basis and notice the piles of various metals in the yard.
In operation since February 2012 under the current owners, the business, at 3583 N. Hwy. 27, buys steel, tin, aluminum, copper, brass, lead, car parts, full-size cars and trucks and fencing. C and D is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8-11:30 a.m.
“We take any type of metal,” said office manager Lisa Proctor, of LaFayette. “We take all kinds of washers, dryers, refrigerators, deep-freezes and window air-conditioning units. We get a lot of old appliances and cars. If it’s a 1985 model or newer, you must have a title to sell the car to us.”
C and D partners with many local businesses to help them with their recycling needs. For example, Walker State Prison brings its gallon steel food cans to C and D.
“The city of LaFayette brought us materials from the old Coca-Cola building,” said Proctor. “Ringgold brought us items destroyed in the tornado like road signs. A lot of the old chicken houses torn down end up here too.”
C and D allows local firefighters in training to come on-site to practice using the Jaws of Life on junk cars.
Proctor said 2014 would be a good time for people to start making money by trading their personal scrap metal and aluminum for cash.
To find out the daily amount given per recycled item, contact C and D Recycling at 706-638-3691.
Joe’s Recycling
In operation since 1994, Joe’s Recycling, at 1716 N. Main St., buys copper, brass, aluminum, car parts and stainless steel, but not fencing.
“I pay everything by the pound,” said owner Joe Wells, of LaFayette. “I had one man come every day. He picked up cans at car washes. I get truckloads of cans.”
Joe’s Recycling is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The business will celebrate its 20th anniversary in October.
Wells checks many items with a magnet, he said. If it does not stick, then it’s aluminum, copper, brass or stainless steel. If it does stick, then it’s a metal.
“I recycle aluminum cans at my house,” Wells said. “I tell everyone to recycle. If someone throws away an aluminum can, I say, ‘You are throwing away money.’ I would like to encourage local people to stop by and recycle. It helps the environment.”
He operates Joe’s Wrecker Service from his shop too. He picked up 12 cars the week of the cold snap, he said. Many vehicles were running hot due to lack of antifreeze.
To find out the daily amounts given for a variety of items Joe’s Recycling takes, call the shop at 706-638-3000. The shop can also be reached by email at joesrecycling1716@gmail.com. To reach the wrecker service, call 706-764-7250, or the night number: 706-618-2233.