On a crisp morning in the parking lot of ESB Financial Bank, a semi-truck was parked outside, its door wide open and the sound of shredding pouring out of the large side door. ESB Financial Bank had its fourth annual Recycle and Shred Day on Saturday.
People from the community could bring their recyclables and their important documents to be handled for them. The shredding truck, owned by Document Resources, shredded box after box of important documents such as unwanted credit cards, bills and other items that could lead to the number one financial industry crime in America: identity theft.
Kim Botkin, assistant vice president of the ESB branch in Emporia, Kan., said “The tradition started in Emporia and when the branch here was opened, we wanted it to be bank wide. We also want to educate the community about identity theft.”
Not only was there a shredding truck, but there was a recycling company at the event as well. Go Green Curbside Recycling, owned and operated by Mandy Scholz, was waiting to assist the public with their cans, paper, cardboard boxes and other recyclables.
“I started this business because I’m a single mom,” Scholz said. “I can run it from home and it also gives back to others. I can see my boys and do a great community service.”s
In addition to cans, paper and other items to be recycled for free, people could even recycle old cell phones. Liz Sieloff, assistant branch manager of the Manhattan ESB Financial, found the website that made it happen.
“The website is ecophones.com,” Sieloff said. “You donate your old cell phones and get a little donation back for yourself.”
The website pays for old cell phones, checks them over, refurbishes them and then sends them out to be used again by others. Sieloff paired the event with the Sunset Zoo, giving the proceeds from the recycled cell phones to them.
“I paired with Sunset Zoo because, like us, they’re a small group in the community,” Sieloff said. “And everyone can enjoy the zoo, especially the kids.”
The Sunset Zoo came with their group of animals known as the Educational Animal Display. They take these animals to different events to educate them on the environment.
“We want the people to know that the choices we make not only effect the environment, but the wildlife as well,” said Heath Vincent, senior in electrical engineering and staff member at the zoo. “We get most of our animals from the illegal pet trade and some are highly endangered because of that. We bring these smaller animals around to educate the public.”
Some of the animals included a opossum, an armadillo, a ferret and a bearded dragon. The zoo has a wide variety of animals from every continent except Antarctica. Vincent said the zoo is always looking for volunteers.
“You won’t get to pet the tigers, but we’re always looking for help and it’s a great educational experience,” Vincent said.