Greeneville Mayor Laraine King has sent a letter to the town's citizens urging them to recycle.

The letter is accompanied by a color brochure of the Greeneville Public Works Department called a "Recycling Guide for Residential Users."

Mayor King's letter says, "Beginning early in the 1990s, the State of Tennessee, has been implementing methods to reduce the amount of waste being disposed of in our landfills.

"In the near future, the state will be mandating that certain items listed in the enclosed brochure no longer be placed in landfills. We need to begin now in making an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle.

"Greeneville has operated drop-off centers around town for the collection of newspapers/magazines, used oil and batteries for several years.

"We are now proud to announce that containers to collect cardboard are also available. The containers will be located beside the newspaper/magazine containers.

"I have asked the Public Works Department to put the attached brochure together for you to easily locate the recycling centers.

"Since being elected as Mayor of Greeneville, I have spoken to numerous of you requesting this information. The location map should allow you to find the containers nearest you for your convenience."

The containers, according to the map, are located at Tusculum Town Hall, the Staples store parking lot along the 11E Bypass, the EastView Recreation Center, the Greene County Partnership's headquarters, Hal Henard Elementary School and the Co-Op store on West Main Street.

Each location has two containers -- one for newspapers, magazines, phone books, office paper and copy paper; and one for flattened cardboard.

The brochure also notes that used oil, antifreeze and vehicle batteries can be delivered to the Public Works Department on West Summer Street or to the Greeneville-Greene County Landfill/Transfer Station on Old Stage Road.

Hours of operation for the landfill are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed for lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Any type of metal appliance will be picked up on an on-call basis by calling the town's Public Works Department at 638-6152, according to the brochure.

Also, plastic grocery bags can be placed in containers at most grocery stores, the brochure states.

Ink cartridges and cell phone batteries can be recycled at local computer and office supply stores, according to the brochure.

Mayor King's letter continues, "To have door-to-door recycling pickup is the town's ultimate goal.

"During this economic downturn the service would place an added expense on each household that many citizens cannot afford.

"For the present, I encourage you to use the guide to locate and utilize the centers without any added expense.

"We will continue to study curbside recycling opportunities for our community and investigate funding methods for the service.

"If you need additional assistance or if you have further questions, please do not hesitate to call me. My telephone number is 639-7105."