NEWPORT-Keep Cocke County Beautiful's Elizabeth Reed was proud to announce the organization has removed more than five tons of trash off the shorelines of Douglas Lake in the past 45 days plus an equal amount of tonnage in electrical equipment received at the Wal-Mart parking lot recently as part of a computer reclycling program held in conjunction with the supercenter.

      Reed told Newport City Council Wednesday night that Newport Recycling Center's Dean Cogdill reported 20,316 milk jugs received from Smoky Mountain, Edgemont, Del Rio, Grassy Fork, Bridgeport, Cosby and Newport Grammar as part of KCCB's "Get juggy with it" program held from April 1 to 30. According to Reed, "Dean said he had never seen that many milk jugs come through the center." Reed told council, "We expected maybe 5,000 to 6,000 jugs at best."

Reed said the enormous collection can be attributed to the education elementary students are receiving about recycling. "The children of this community will take it (recycling) to the next level. Children can help adults change their minds and habits. Youth see it in black and white." In addition, Reed feels that, "We're very fortunate that the school system works with out community."

      Cocke Countians have proven they aren't shirkers when it comes to recycling. In 2006, KCCB was named best affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. When compared with 25 other counties involved in the statewide program, Reed says, "We've been ahead of the curve, particularly at our sporting events." KCCB wants to make TSSAA sporting events not only litter-free but "recycling events." Reed said, "If given the opportunity, people will recycle it is easy."

      Reed attended a litter summit in Knoxville earlier this week, one of the four held statewide in Memphis, Nashville and Chattanooga, where she met several state environmental judges. "We're pretty impressive for a rural community," said Reed who affirms, "We're really working hard to remain one of the best in the state."

      Reed told council, "We are ahead of the mark in everything statewide with the exception of issuing littering citations but we are moving in the right direction." She added, "You should be proud to have one of the best (Keep America Beautiful affiliates) in the country."