This year’s theme for an event celebrated by more than one billion people the world over is “Our Power, Our Planet.” Earth Day 2025 encourages people to take action, and Gwinnett County offers an impactful way for them to do just that. On Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at Coolray Field, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and Gwinnett Solid Waste will gather together with dozens of volunteers to help hundreds of neighbors rid their homes of recyclable items that can’t be collected curbside. Rather than taking up space in local landfills, items collected at the event will gain a new life through recycling as a key element in sustainability. 

“In addition to encouraging our neighbors to gather items like paper, paint, tires, electronics, clothing, and sneakers for the event, we’ll also need lots of volunteers to make sure the event runs smoothly,” said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director for Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “Last year, this event engaged an unprecedented number of neighbors who arrived in 1,818 vehicles. In a matter of three hours, a little over 120 volunteers collected 2.25 tons of textiles, 10,162 gallons of paint, 12 tons of tires, 18 tons of paper, 3 tons of cardboard, and 24 tons of electronics. Combined, that’s more than 72 tons diverted from local landfills. Celebrated in the U.S. on April 22 each year, we are so proud to be part of a global observance that has lasted 55 years. We all need to work together at the community level to protect the planet and our precious natural resources. Each one of us has the power to do that, in ways big and small. Whether limiting single-use plastics and bringing your reusable bags to the grocery store or volunteering for and attending a recycling event, every intentional measure is a step in the right direction!”

Items accepted during the Earth Day event at Coolray Field include:

• Electronics - $35 cash fee per projection or console TV, $15 cash fee per computer monitor or TV, and $5 cash fee per printer

• Tires without rims – Limit eight; no dealer tires

• Paint – both latex and oil-based – Limit 10 gallons per vehicle; cans must contain 25% wet paint or more

• Gently used clothing and sneakers

• Paper for shredding – Limit five copier boxes

Attendees are asked to place their items to be recycled in disposable boxes or containers, as they will not be returned once removed from vehicles. The Earth Day Recycling Event will also include face painting and touch-a-truck activities for kids and a chance for Gwinnett County neighbors to meet their haulers and enjoy refreshments. Marlatt asks for grace and patience from Gwinnett County neighbors during the event – which is always well-attended and lines can get backed up. She assures that the volunteers and team members from Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and Gwinnett Solid Waste will do their level best to keep all lines moving smoothly.

Volunteers must be 16 or older. Individuals and groups should visit Volunteer Gwinnett - Volunteer Console (cervistech.com) to register. They are asked to arrive no later than 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event – with a signed waiver – to receive their assignment. As for neighbors planning to attend the Gwinnett County Earth Day Recycling Event, Coolray Field is located at 2500 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville. Questions about the event can be directed to the Solid Waste Call Center at 770.822.7141.

To learn more about Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and its upcoming events, please visit www.GwinnettCB.org.