Photo submitted Cocke County will be one of three counties benefiting from a $25,000 from Goodwill Industries-Knoxville, Inc. to establish a recycling program for latex paint. Along with Hamblen and Grainger County citizens, Cocke County residents will soon be able to recycle latex paint for later use in public projects. Keep Cocke County Beautiful Director Elizabeth Reed and Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan, Jr. were among those attending a special announcement ceremony Monday in Morristown. They were joined by Grainger County Mayor Mark Hipsher, Hamblen County Mayor David Purkey, Debbie Stevenson, KAB Executive Director, and Jack Horner, Goodwill Industries Recycling Division vice-president.

NEWPORT-As of February 1, 2009, Cocke Countians will have the opportunity to recycle latex paint, thanks for a $25,000 from Goodwill Industries-Knoxville, Inc.

Announcement of the grant came Monday afternoon in Morristown, when Cocke County Mayor Iliff R. McMahan, Jr. and Keep Cocke County Beautiful Director Elizabeth Reed joined government officials from Hamblen and Grainger Counties at the Morristown Recycling Facility.

Through the program, individuals are encouraged to bring any latex paint to one of three locations. In Hamblen County, paint will be accepted at Goodwill Industries Recycle Facility in Russellville as of this week.

Grainger County residents may drop off latex paint at the Grainger County Landfill beginning February 1, 2009.

Cocke County citizens will drop off latex paint at the Cocke County Landfill from Mondays-Saturdays 7-4, according to Reed.

According to a spokesman for Goodwill Industries, "These services are available for individuals only. Industries, businesses, and contractors must still use a private service provider to dispose of large quantities of paint and hazardous items from commercial use."

After the paint has been recycled, it will become available to local governments and non-profit organizations to use in projects, such as painting public facilities or vandalism abatement.

"I am very pleased and extremely honored to be joining in partnership with Grainger County and Hamblen County for this new program to recycle latex paint products within our tri-county region," said McMahan.

"The recycled paint will never end up filling a landfill or fouling our streams. It's a 'win-win' scenario for all involved."

McMahan expressed his gratitude to Grainger County Mayor Mark Hipsher, Hamblen County Mayor David Purkey, Morristown/Hamblen KAB Executive Director Debbie Stevenson, Jack Horner, Vice-president of Goodwill Industries Recycling Division, and KCCB Director Elizabeth Reed "for making it possible to be awarded this $25,000 grant for this program."

"This is truly an example of what folks can achieve for their region when they work together, in partnership, for the betterment of our natural resources and our quality of life for our people. I am proud to be a partner," McMahan added.