Introduction

Ideally, we reduce our consumption of goods.  Consider the energy involved in any purchase: raw material extraction, manufacturing, product use, and transportation for each step.  A product's true, or “full”, cost includes greenhouse gases emitted in its creation and use, and pollutants that cause climate change, acid rain, smog, fouled waterways and their health consequences.  In 2009, Americans generated about 243 million tons of trash and recycled and composted 82 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 33.8 percent recycling rate.  On average, we recycled and composted 1.46 pounds of our individual waste generation of 4.34 pounds per person per day.[1]  Reducing consumption while also increasing recycling and composting rates reduces energy consumption and the amount that goes to landfills.  Discarded items don’t go away…they go somewhere!

Frankfort & Franklin County Residential Curbside Recycling

Both the City and County offer curbside recycling.  Free recycling bins are available upon request.      

City of Frankfort Recycling: contact, Jay Edington, 502.875.8527.  For City recycling schedules and a list of items that will be collected, click here 

Franklin County Recycling: contact, Mark Barrett, 502.875.7987 or 502.875.8751.  You can also request recycling bins and recycling schedules at 800-262-6565.  For County recycling schedules and a list of items that will be collected, click here

Recycling “Other” Items

Click here for information on recycling.  Below is a summary of the information presented on this web page.  Addresses for accepting businesses are outlined below.

E-Scrap (cell phones, computers, electrical appliances).  Homeowners can place e-scrap on the curb or bring it to the recycling center (301 Rouse Avenue).  Businesses must drop off e-scrap at the recycling center.  The center does not accept TVs, industrial copiers or microwaves. 

Car Batteries.  NAPA Auto Parts, Advance Auto, Auto Zone

Batteries and Cell Phones.  Lowe’s, Radio Shack, City of Frankfort Recycling Center

CFL Lightbulbs.  Lowe’s

Used motor oil and anti-freeze.  Advance Auto, Auto Zone, Valvoline

Click here for a useful Fact Sheet on proper disposal of used oil and anti-freeze.

Paint.  Click here for information on how to properly prepare paint for recycling.  Once prepared according to the procedure outlined at the link, the dried paint can be set out curbside with other recyclables.

Useful Addresses.

            Advance Auto Parts: 268 Versailles Road, Frankfort, 502.695.7556; 1221 US Highway 127 South, Frankfort, 502.226.5431

            Auto Zone: 305 Versailles Road, Frankfort, 502.695.0602; 1127 US Highway 127 South, Frankfort, 502.226.6406

            City of Frankfort Recycling Center: 301 Rouse Avenue, Frankfort, 502.875.8527

            Lowe’s: 350 Leonardwood Drive, Frankfort, 502.223.7500

            NAPA Auto Parts: 757 East Main Street, Frankfort, 502.223.2228

            Radio Shack: 1309 US Highway 127 South, Suite F, Frankfort, 502.223.3936

            Valvoline Instant Oil Change: 136 Versailles Road, Frankfort, 502.695.8323; 1231 US Highway 127 South, Frankfort, 502.226.2729

Passing on Still-Useful Goods

There is a Goodwill store in Frankfort (316 Versailles Road) that accepts donations.  Their phone number is 502.695.1100.

Frankfort has an online Freecycle group that allows people to post things that they want to give away.  You can check it out here

Composting

Click here on to go to the Composting Council's website.  Their Resources page is especially useful for information.  It contains links to factsheets on composting use, composting practices, climate change and other related topics.

Purchasing in Bulk

Frankfort has a natural food buying club -- the Capital City Foods Cooperative.  The club orders once a month from United Natural Foods and local food producers.  Bulk purchases of beans, grains, and much more are available.  Contact Sean Nitchmann at ccfcoopnews@gmail.com or 502.227.1743.

There is also a natural food buying club in Monterey in southern Owen County that orders once every two months.  Contact Connie Lemley at 502.223.7936 or connie_lemley@yahoo.com.