Recent discussions of combining recycling efforts in Park County have targeted Powell Valley Recycling as the logical choice for regional operations.As the county faces partial closure of the Powell landfill in 2010, it is likely that the city's garbage will be transported to Cody, where a lined landfill will accept regional waste. It may be possible to have the trucks that haul Powell's waste to Cody bring recyclables from Cody back on the return trip.If plans proceed as expected, Powell will expand its center to accommodate several communities' recyclable materials.Powell Valley Recycling is up to the challenge. The local center already receives material from surrounding towns in the Big Horn Basin, including Greybull, Lovell, Byron and Meeteetse.The center's operations have grown every year. It processed more than 800 tons of material in 2007-08 —nearly three times the amount it handled 10 years ago. Since its inception, the facility has been committed to local sustainability.In 2007, the Wyoming Solid Waste and Recycling Association recognized Powell Valley Recycling and its manager Mary Jo Decker for the center's early and continued success, naming it the Recycling Organization of the Year. Even as prices paid for recyclables have plummeted as a result of the global recession, Decker said the center is prepared to weather the storm wrought by the grim market. Though not fiscally profitable, recycling efforts remain vital to our environment. As Decker said earlier this year, “Why should we throw away anything that can be used again?”It appears that local residents agree. Both Powell and Cody's recycling centers are seeing an influx in use, growing at a 10-percent annual rate.Consolidating county recycling makes sense, and with the support of local government entities, we are confident Powell Valley Recycling is capable of handling the proposed expansion with success.

Recent discussions of combining recycling efforts in Park County have targeted Powell Valley Recycling as the logical choice for regional operations.

As the county faces partial closure of the Powell landfill in 2010, it is likely that the city's garbage will be transported to Cody, where a lined landfill will accept regional waste. It may be possible to have the trucks that haul Powell's waste to Cody bring recyclables from Cody back on the return trip.

If plans proceed as expected, Powell will expand its center to accommodate several communities' recyclable materials.

Powell Valley Recycling is up to the challenge. The local center already receives material from surrounding towns in the Big Horn Basin, including Greybull, Lovell, Byron and Meeteetse.

The center's operations have grown every year. It processed more than 800 tons of material in 2007-08 —nearly three times the amount it handled 10 years ago. Since its inception, the facility has been committed to local sustainability.

In 2007, the Wyoming Solid Waste and Recycling Association recognized Powell Valley Recycling and its manager Mary Jo Decker for the center's early and continued success, naming it the Recycling Organization of the Year.

Even as prices paid for recyclables have plummeted as a result of the global recession, Decker said the center is prepared to weather the storm wrought by the grim market.

Though not fiscally profitable, recycling efforts remain vital to our environment. As Decker said earlier this year, “Why should we throw away anything that can be used again?”

It appears that local residents agree. Both Powell and Cody's recycling centers are seeing an influx in use, growing at a 10-percent annual rate.

Consolidating county recycling makes sense, and with the support of local government entities, we are confident Powell Valley Recycling is capable of handling the proposed expansion with success.