Regional recycling

Posted 3/3/09

“We're not out to recreate the wheel or open up another recycling center,” said Park County Commissioner Dave Burke.

Burke, along with other officials from Powell, Cody and Park County, are looking at consolidating local recycling …

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Regional recycling

Posted

Powell Valley Recycling agrees to take on regional operations Details on a potential regional recycling operation remain fuzzy.But as they emerge, don't expect any shocking changes.

“We're not out to recreate the wheel or open up another recycling center,” said Park County Commissioner Dave Burke.

Burke, along with other officials from Powell, Cody and Park County, are looking at consolidating local recycling operations.

“The whole idea is to find a way to expand the operations and put them under one management,” Burke said.

That manager stands to be Powell Valley Recycling, which has agreed to head county-wide recycling efforts.

Powell Valley Recycling manager Mary Jo Decker said it makes sense to combine Powell's and Cody's operations.

“Why duplicate two things within 20 miles?” Decker asked.

Powell's landfill is slated to partially close in 2010, while Cody's is scheduled to remain open with a liner. It may be possible to have trucks haul Powell's garbage to Cody, and bring Cody's recyclables on the return trip, a set-up Decker calls ideal.

About 30 people attended the regional recycling study group's first public meeting last week.

“There's a lot of interest out there for recycling,” Burke said. “Unfortunately, it's not a proposition that creates a profit.”

Burke said coming up with revenue sources will be one of the study group's main tasks. Potential options are recycling tipping fees, city garbage surcharges (like those currently used), a mill levy or perhaps a new capital facilities tax.

The group has hired a consultant to come up with cost estimates.

Together, Powell and Cody's centers process around 1,600 tons of material each year and are growing at 10 perccent annually, Decker said.

Burke said the work group will be coming up with options for additional storage locations.

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