More and more people are practicing the three Rs -- reducing, reusing and recycling.

Officials called the most recent numbers astonishing.

Jefferson County residents recycled nearly 700,000 pounds of paper so far this year and Belmont County residents recycled more than 400,000 pounds.

Chairman of the Solid Waste Authority Mark Thomas said that's nearly double what people from both counties recycled in all of last year.

"People are realizing what the issues are as we pollute the environment and education is important, too," Thomas said.

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He said young people have a lot to do with making sure paper is recycled.

"They are going home, telling their parents you can't throw this away and that's beautiful," he said.

There are two new ways the solid waste authority is going to try and keep people gearing forward for the environment: First, with the pickup of household hazardous waste like batteries, paint cans and light bulbs, and also with e-cycling, or the pickup of old cell phones, TVs and other items.

"We want to get the message out that what we can recycle. (It) not only saves our government money, but it also is great for the environment and that's what we're here for," he said.

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