Wednesday morning, city officials gathered in front of Janie’s Pastries to unload the first of 57 recycling bins that will be placed throughout the city in parks and beside city trash bins.

Residents who would like to receive a 35-gallon recycling bin are instructed to pick one up at the City Barn on Willard Street Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. At pickup, residents must verify a Brookhaven address with a photo ID or a receipt from a water or electricity bill.

Those who pick up bins will be given a card explaining the type of materials that can be recycled in Brookhaven and more information about the Brookhaven Recycles Program. Bins will be distributed on a ‘first-come, first serve’ basis until all the containers are gone.

For the elderly who cannot come to pickup, the board and city will hold back approximately 100 bins for delivery to their homes. Those who wish to have a bin delivered to their home must call 601-833-5421.

The board of alderman said the 35-gallon bins will belong to the city but residents can keep their 18-gallon bins if they had one previously.

There are 900 containers available for pickup and there can be only one picked up per family. The containers were made available through a Department of Environmental Quality grant. The city hopes to increase the amount of Brookhaven recycling from its current 23% to 45% with the installment and distribution of the new containers.

For more information about the Brookhaven Recycles program or what can and cannot be recycled residents are encouraged to visit the city of Brookhaven website at www.brookhavenms.com, visit the city’s Facebook page or call 601-833-5421.