As the Macon-Bibb government moves to become a leaner, more efficient government, there's also hopes of becoming more sustainable as well.

"My hopes with the consolidation plan is that we would move forward in having a unified recycling program," said Pam Carswell.

Carswell is Executive Director of "Keep Macon Bibb Beautiful" says there is a high demand for a complete recycling program.

"I get numerous phone calls everyday. If I'm out doing an recycling event, the citizens of Macon are asking for a recycling program."

Director of Public Works, Richard Powell says the city's garbage trucks currently collect newspapers for recycling. Due to a lack past participation, the city offers a single stream pilot program for about 2000 residents in various locations.

"We picked specific areas to do the pilot programs," said Powell. "If you don't get the participation with the pilot programs, your kind of wasting you time out there."

Powell acknowledges a full time recycling program would help benefit the Macon city landfill, which has an estimated 9 years of use left. But without community participation and education it would all be for naught.

"You don't want to ride a bunch of routes and don't have anything to collect," said Powell.

Through education is where keep "Macon Bibb Beautiful" comes into play, reaching out to kids through their "Waste in Place" recycling program.

"The children are coming home and teaching their parents about preventing litter and that litter has its place," said Carswell. "If they are one of the lucky families in the city or if they live in the county they will began recycling."

Carswell says a healthier environment and saving space in the landfill is win win for the county.

The city of Macon handles its own garbage collection and landfill while the county's trash is handled by a contracted company and sends its trash to Twiggs county.