Economic, environmental incentive for city recycling programNo different from many small towns in rural America, Powell has been slow to jump on the recycling bandwagon. But with the closure of the local landfill on the horizon, it's time for the city — possibly in partnership with Park County — to look at ways to further encourage reduction of solid waste. It's now a financial issue as well as an environmental one.While some large urban centers have had city-run curbside recycling programs in place since the late 1980s — now, nearly two decades later, residents of Powell are realizing the importance of reducing waste. As proof of that, the local recycling center is moving to a larger building to better handle the volume of recyclables coming in, and two enterprising women have started a curbside pick-up service to make it easier for homeowners and businesses to recycle. But we're still lagging behind: One need only look at trash cans, full of aluminum cans and plastic and glass bottles, in public places throughout town for evidence.Designated containers for recyclables on downtown streets and in other community gathering places is a start. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency has a program in place to help municipalities implement pay-as-you-throw systems for solid waste. According to the EPA Web site, those systems charge residents based on their trash volume, creating an incentive to throw away less and recycle more. The EPA says, on average, communities with pay-as-you-throw programs see waste reductions of 15 to 28 percent. That's just one of many options.Within our community, the possibilities to reduce waste extend beyond materials accepted at recycling centers. Residents soon will be able to donate salvaged building materials to a new Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and, with the proper tools in place, grass clippings and tree branches could be reused as mulch in landscaping applications throughout the community.While a city-wide change may be slow to take effect — and a significant cash outlay may be necessary — there's no time like the present to begin exploring options. With rising landfill rates looming, any investment would be money well spent. And doing our part to help the environment has its own rewards as well.

Economic, environmental incentive for city recycling program

No different from many small towns in rural America, Powell has been slow to jump on the recycling bandwagon.

But with the closure of the local landfill on the horizon, it's time for the city — possibly in partnership with Park County — to look at ways to further encourage reduction of solid waste. It's now a financial issue as well as an environmental one.

While some large urban centers have had city-run curbside recycling programs in place since the late 1980s — now, nearly two decades later, residents of Powell are realizing the importance of reducing waste. As proof of that, the local recycling center is moving to a larger building to better handle the volume of recyclables coming in, and two enterprising women have started a curbside pick-up service to make it easier for homeowners and businesses to recycle. But we're still lagging behind: One need only look at trash cans, full of aluminum cans and plastic and glass bottles, in public places throughout town for evidence.

Designated containers for recyclables on downtown streets and in other community gathering places is a start.

Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency has a program in place to help municipalities implement pay-as-you-throw systems for solid waste. According to the EPA Web site, those systems charge residents based on their trash volume, creating an incentive to throw away less and recycle more. The EPA says, on average, communities with pay-as-you-throw programs see waste reductions of 15 to 28 percent. That's just one of many options.

Within our community, the possibilities to reduce waste extend beyond materials accepted at recycling centers.

Residents soon will be able to donate salvaged building materials to a new Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and, with the proper tools in place, grass clippings and tree branches could be reused as mulch in landscaping applications throughout the community.

While a city-wide change may be slow to take effect — and a significant cash outlay may be necessary — there's no time like the present to begin exploring options. With rising landfill rates looming, any investment would be money well spent. And doing our part to help the environment has its own rewards as well.