Suffolk residents realize the need to recycle and help their community stay clean and green.

On Sept. 16, more than 300 people came out to the City of Suffolk Recycling and Tire Amnesty Day organized by Keep Suffolk Beautiful and hosted by the Lowe’s North Main Street location. Keep Suffolk Beautiful is an affiliate of the national nonprofit Keep America Beautiful.

An incredible 1,496 tires were collected, and residents came out to recycle 3,200 pounds of personal documents, 3,250 pounds of electronics, 430 pounds of clothes and 800 pounds of cardboard and plastics Nos. 1 and 2.

Organizers also collected thousands of household batteries and bags and bags of plastic bags. In addition, residents took advantage of disposing of their household hazardous waste, bringing their old paint, gasoline, motor oil, light bulbs and other items they had found sitting in their garage or shed.

Attendees also made donations to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and gave their old eye glasses and hearing aids to the Lions Club, who will sterilize, repair and distribute to those who need them.

“Our fall drive went extremely well,” said Kathy Russell, chairperson for Keep Suffolk Beautiful. “We had a great turnout, and we couldn’t do it without the help of volunteers. We want to thank our high school volunteers and their parents. In addition, a big thank you to the members of Zeta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, who collected the food donations. We want to remind our high school students needing volunteer hours to contact us.”

Keep Suffolk Beautiful thanks Lowe’s for hosting the drive.

If you want to be notified by email of the next recycling drive, contact Litter Control at

514-7604 or email littercontrol@suffolkva.us.