Macon County boasts the third highest recycling rates in the state, according to a report recently issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resource’s Waste Management Division.

“Macon County moved up to third in the rankings from fourth place last year. The county consistently shows an outstanding recycling rate thanks to a strong county-run waste reduction program,” the report states.

The county recovered 360.03 pounds of trash per capita in 2003/04.

Swain County took ninth place, with 233.25 pounds of trash recovered per capita. Jackson came in 13th with 163.37, while Haywood followed at 23rd with 133.56 pound of trash recovered per capita.

One factor that may play in to mountain counties’ high per capita rates are the numer of seasonal residents. They contribute to the recycling poundage, but are not counted in the population base.

However, statewide recycling rate have yet to catch up with disposal rates. Last year disposal rates grew by more than four percent, the report states.

“To reverse the trend of rapidly increasing disposal and to meet the demands of the recycling industry, more communities need to adopt comprehensive public education programs and add new, readily marketable materials to the collection programs,” the report states.

Increasing usage of existing programs is the most cost-efficient way to up recycling.

In Dare County — the number one recycler on the list — nearly twice as much trash was recovered per capita than in Macon County.

“Dare County’s recovery rate was buoyed by a large quantity of recycled appliances and scrap metal. Had these materials been excluded, the county would have dropped to third on the list,” the report states. “Communities that experience population fluctuations from tourism can skew the numbers slightly; however, Dare County’s strong recovery rate indicates that vacationers are taking advantage of recycling services provided by the county and towns.”

Hoke County rounded out the bottom of the list with a meager 8.91 pounds of trash recovered per capita.

For more information about the report and county recycling rates contact Jim Hickman, Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance local government assistance team leader, at 919.715.6528.