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Keep Suffolk Beautiful is hosting a Recycling Drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 22 at the Suffolk Department of Public Works Operations Facility, 800 Carolina Road.

The event is for Suffolk residents only. All who attend are asked to wear masks and observe social distancing as they unload their vehicles.

Keep Suffolk Beautiful is proud to partner with Boy Scout Troop 16, which will be onsite to collect unserviceable U.S. Flags. Troop 16 Leader David Willis says, “If anyone has an old U.S. flag that they would like us to respectfully retire, our troop will be on hand to collect it. All U.S. flags collected will be burned during a meaningful Flag Retirement Ceremony in accordance with 4 U.S. Code § 8, in particular § 8(k) Disposal.”

The Suffolk Sheriff’s Office will also be at the drive to reinforce the importance of protecting against identity theft and encouraging residents to take advantage of secure document shredding, especially important after tax season. Sheriff E.C. Harris said, “Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the nation, thus we must remain vigilant to safeguard our privacy.”   Deputies will be available to address questions about personal identity protection.

Items for recycling include:

• Tires (inside diameter 22” or less, without rims)
• Electronics (No tube TV’s)
• Gently used clothing
• Wares
• Batteries
• Plastic bottles and jugs #1 & #2
• Cardboard, paper and magazines
• Plastic bags
• Glass containers

The drive will also be collecting household hazardous waste such as oil, gasoline, antifreeze, cleaners, propane tanks, pesticides, CFL lightbulbs and more. The disposal of such items is limited to five gallons of liquid, or 75 pounds of solid waste, and you must show a Suffolk ID.

Keep Suffolk Beautiful continues its support for local charity ForKids. Donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries, deodorant, and all things that make bubbles, such as hand soap and dish soap, are welcome and needed. Zakkitta Anderson, ForKids community engagement coordinator, says: “Right now, our organization has an urgent need for cleaning supplies. These donations will help support families and children experiencing housing crises.”

The Lions Club will also be available to collect hearing aids and eyeglasses, as well as sell their popular brooms.

In addition, Suffolk Mosquito Control will be present with information on how to control mosquito populations at home, and to give away free mosquito dunks to residents.  Residents with a Suffolk ID can get a pack of two dunks with information on how best to use them.

The recycling drive is for Suffolk residents only, with ID being required for bringing household hazardous waste. During busy periods, a limit of three grocery bags of personal documents will be placed for shredding.

Keep Suffolk Beautiful would like to thank Boy Scout Troop 16, the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office, Goodwill, TFC, Iron Mountain, SPSA, ForKids, and the Lions Club for supporting the drive.

For more information, find the event on Facebook, visit www.suffolkva.us/339/Recycling-Drives, call 757-514-7604, or email ksb@suffolkva.us.