OKMULKE, Oklv. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation reservation shined a little greener during Earth Week 2024. The week included Earth Day, which is annually observed on April 22.
This year marked Earth Day’s 54th anniversary. Every year during the week the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of Environmental Services plans a packed schedule of public events to promote responsible disposable habits. This year was no different, and included the annual recycle event and the community clean-up event.
The recycle collection event provided a document shredding truck on site. It took in recyclables including electronics, appliances, batteries, tires, cardboards, and plastics. This event is held twice a year for Earth Day and Recycle Day which typically falls in mid November. According to MCN Office of Environmental Services Director James Williams, the recycling event saw a stacked team of tribal employees who came out to help collect recyclable materials.
“We got a full crew out here today, and everybody’s working good,” Williams said. “We appreciate the opportunity to do that for the Nation and the tribe.”
The purpose of the recycle collection event is to prevent recyclable materials from ending up in a landfill. This is especially important for larger items like tires and large appliances, which otherwise can be safely recycled.
The community clean-up event is typically hosted on the Friday of Earth Week, however this year’s event was postponed due to weather concerns. That event sees volunteers and staff clean up trash along State Highway 56, starting at the College of the Muscogee Nation, and ending at the main tribal complex. According to Williams, that event typically picks up around a thousand pounds of trash.
While Williams’ department offers plenty of opportunities to responsibly dispose of recyclable materials during Earth Week, that does not mean it is the only time of the year to take care of the environment. For those that are considering picking up better recycling habits, Williams says it is never too late to start.
“You got to start small,” Williams said. “Just start saving some of your cardboard, start bringing it in to us. Start saving your plastics. Recycle your little batteries. Start small and work your way up.”
The Office of Environmental Services was the recent recipient of the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant. The $906,621 grant was awarded to the department at the recent Region Six Environmental Protection Agency summit. Of the 66 tribes present at the summit, MCN was one of seven that received a grant. This will allow environmental services to purchase new equipment like a box truck, another semi truck and a paper shredding truck. The department is also looking to add a new position with a grant-funded salary.
According to Williams, what makes Earth Week worthwhile is working together with others.
“One of the most favorite things that I get to see are fellowship that we have with our different offices that come out and help,” Williams said. “Also with the volunteers that come and help us out because we’ll eat every time.”
The community clean-up event has been rescheduled for Friday, May 3. Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the canopy outside the MCN Executive Branch Building on the main tribal complex. From there routes will be determined for clean up crews. Afterward volunteer groups will meet at the MCN Recycling Center for a cookout.
