Lawrence Countians are getting the message: Recycling is a good habit.

Lawrence-Scioto Solid Waste District Coordinator Chuck Yaniko said in 2004, Lawrence County residents tossed 128.04 tons of recyclables into the county's rotating collection bins.

"Last year (2003) we did about 60 tons, but that was not a full year," Yaniko said. "We are about eight tons ahead of what we projected for the year, so we did better than our best projections."

Yaniko said advertising the location of the trailers and the program in general was most helpful in ratcheting up those figures.

"We really picked up in the eastern end, in the Rome-Proctorville area," Yaniko said. "And the Ironton drop sites did very well, too."

Yaniko said the agency does not have additional money for more trailers so the only way to increase statistics in 2005 is to increase advertising.

The recycling bins accept aluminum cans, magazines and newspapers, and No. 1 and No. 2 plastic jugs and bottles.

The district's solid waste litter crew spent 2004 picking up what others threw down: The crew cleaned litter off 558 miles of roadways throughout the county and cleaned up 22 illegal dump sites.

The litter crew also took part in a number of community cleanup events, such as RiverSweep, the annual litter pickup along the Ohio River, and did cleanup work at more than 30 public parks and boat ramps.

The agency's community outreach program made 59 presentations to schools, civic clubs and other organizations during 2004, encouraging litter prevention and recycling.

Those who want to schedule a presentation may call Yaniko or education specialist Stephanie Nida at 532-1231.