DANVILLE — In the 11 years and two months that the Danville recycling center has been open at Main and Washington streets, its collected 5,695 tons of recyclable materials.

By far, this is the largest recycling site in the county.

Danville saw 634 tons of materials recycled in 2007, compared to 866 in 2006, 793 in 2005, 496 in 2000 and 326 tons in 1997.

Cardboard recycling, totaled separately, started in 1998.

About 130 tons of cardboard was recycled in the county last year, or 947 tons since the program started.

Other communities started their recycling programs in 1998, 2000 or as recent as 2003.

Examples of recycled tonnage collected in other communities in 2007:

-- Catlin: 96 tons.

-- Georgetown: 180 tons.

-- Kickapoo: 114 tons.

-- Westville: 142 tons.

-- Bismarck: 59 tons.

-- Sidell: 37 tons.

Total tons of material recycled in the county, including cardboard, last year was 1,427 or about 11,115 from all the sites in almost 12 years.

Even though other communities in the county are much smaller than Danville, Hoopeston, for example, has a free curbside recycling program.

Vermilion County Recycling Coordinator Lynn Wolgamot said this was due to a lawsuit. Allied Waste picks up the recycled materials.

Hoopeston’s curbside tonnage has stayed pretty steady through the years after starting in 2000.

Last year saw 35 tons collected, while 43 tons was reported in 2005 and 27 tons reported in 2000.

Rodney Ramos, route supervisor with Allied Waste Services in Hoopeston, said about 350 to 400 households signed up for the free program.

On the high side average, however, about 250 people regularly participate, he said.

There is one day set aside for recycling every other week.

Residents place a bin curbside with their recyclables mixed together. Residents are provided a list of rules, such as to clean out glass and what is acceptable.

The material then is taken to Danville before making its way up to a super-sized recycling center in Chicago, and then elsewhere.

Since 1994, Vermilion County has worked to create a successful recycling program in accordance with its state-mandated Solid Waste Management Plan, according to the Vermilion County Health Department’s Web site.

Beginning with the opening of the first drop-off site in 1996, the program has expanded to include seven drop-off sites across the county and regular events that include special collections and educational programs.

Drop-off sites:

-- Main and Washington streets in Danville.

-- West Commercial Street in Catlin, near the township garage.

-- Georgetown Township Building.

-- Kickapoo State Park, just past the main office.

-- Westville, behind Youhas Baseball Field and near the municipal garage.

-- Bismarck, Newell Township Garage, off Illinois Street.

-- Sidell, lot north of the post office (Gray Street).

The following items are accepted at the drop-off sites:

-- Newspapers, magazines and catalogs.

-- Steel food and beverage cans — rinsed clean.

-- Plastics #1 and #2 — rinsed clean, no lids.

-- Food and beverage glass — green, clear and amber — rinsed clean — no lids.

-- Corrugated cardboard — flattened (Danville site only).

-- Paper board boxes (cake and cereal boxes) — should be flattened and inside packaging discarded.

Wolgamot also directs, as a volunteer, Keep Vermilion County Beautiful.

KVCB earned certification from the Keep America Beautiful organization in June 2002.

During its first year, 15 of 21 villages and cities in Vermilion County joined the program, along with 10 of the 19 townships and 22 organizations.

The KVCB mascot is Spot Less the litter-hating dog.

KVCB’s public education campaign offers antilittering signs at reduced costs for members and conducts cleanups.

For information about getting involved, call 431-2662, ext. 249 or e-mail lwolgamo@vchd.org.