by Sandra Boggs
Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau
Department of Environmental Quality
recycle.mt.gov
News and Updates
1. SAVE Recycling Drive This Weekend January 11th-14th!
S.A.V.E. will be collecting aluminum, #1 and #2 plastics at 1100 N Last Chance Gulch (near the
YMCA). The drive will run from January 11th-14th, and will operate from 8A.M. - 6P.M. each
day. Donating aluminum cans to the SAVE drive provides income to support continued
expansion of their events.
S.A.V.E. accepts type 1 and 2 plastics at this event; click here for detailed examples and
instructions for how to be prepared. SAVE thanks Tri-County Disposal, City of Helena, Pacific
Steel & Recycling, General Services of the State of Montana, the Montana Beverage
Association, Carroll College, and all volunteers for making these events a success!
Volunteers Needed!
Help your community and VOLUNTEER this January 11th-14th! S.A.V.E. relies heavily on
community support to make their drives successful. Volunteers are needed for this weekend’s
collection. Help SAVE this weekend! Gloves, cocoa, tea and other treats are provided to help
keep you warm. Call 449-6008 for details.
2. Eureka Recycles! Volunteers Crucial to Getting It Started
Lincoln County in northwest Montana known for majestic mountains, deep valleys, wild rivers,
and beautiful mountain lakes. Geographically, it’s a large county that encompasses 3,613 square
miles and includes less than 20,000 residents.
Libby is where the only major landfill is located in Lincoln County, so out-lying areas must
transport all trash to Libby. Trash is hauled from several county-owned container sites;
including Eureka – a 70 mile drive along the shores of Lake Koocanusa, Happy’s Inn – a 35 mile
haul, and Troy – a mere 20 miles away. But keep in mind that these are mountainous highways,
in the summer full of tourists, and often icy and dangerous during the winter.
Despite their remoteness, Lincoln County residents wanted to recycle. A volunteer movement
that started in Eureka in 2007 snowballed to become a county-wide recycling program by 2010.
Helped along with two stimulus grants, the county has placed recycling trailers (ProTainer and
Dempster) in several communities in which paper, plastic, aluminum cans, steel cans, and
cardboard are collected. Recyclables are hauled by county employees to Kootenai Recycling in
Libby, where the commodities are baled with a baler purchased in 2011 with the help of stimulus
money.
The recycling program continues to grow. A recycling collection and storage building was
constructed at the Eureka Class III Landfill in 2011. This building has greatly reduced the
number of trips needed to haul recyclables to Libby. Beginning in October 2012, all plastics are
accepted for recycling, instead of just #1 and #2 plastics. Additional locations to collect
cardboard have been added at the Libby and Eureka Landfills. There are plans to add more dropoff
locations to make recycling more convenient for residents. Proceeds from the sale of
recyclables are put back into the recycling program, or donated to spay/neuter programs.
3. “Recycle Day” at the Capitol is March 25th.
Recycle Montana is organizing a “Recycle Day” at the Capitol during this legislative session.
Recycle Montana is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to recycling in Montana.
http://recyclemontana.org/index.htm
Stay up to date on recycling news, events, and opportunities across the state by "liking" RecycleMontana on Facebook, follow them on twitter and blogger, and sign up for their free mailing list!
4. Recycling Help for Communities: Staff
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is the sponsoring agency for Energy
Corps Internships and applications for host sites are currently being solicited. The program
provides hands-on energy assistance, energy education, and community recycling and other
sustainability planning, to help communities. To learn more about Energy Corps and
AmeriCorps, go to www.energycorps.ncat.org
5. Recycling/Sustainability in Montana News
On Thursday, January 3rd, Montana Public Radio (KUFM) included a newscast on recycling in
the Flathead Valley: : http://www.mtpr.net/news_archive.html In addition, that evening’s
commentary focused on sustainability issues and was provided by Emily Post of the Alternative
Energy Resource Organization (AERO).
6. County Wins in Flow Control Case
Horry County in South Carolina won in U.S. District Court during an appeal by private solid
waste firms. The Court ruled that the county ordinance giving the Solid Waste Authority power
to direct disposal of trash generated within county boundaries is legal. The 2009 ordinance
requires that trash generated within county boundaries may only be disposed of in the County’s
landfill or another landfill as directed by the Solid Waste Authority. The County argued that the
ordinance protects the County against liability for contamination at non-county landfills. Private
solid waste firms argue that revenue is lost due to flow control; jobs have been eliminated due to
the large decrease in trash received and they have few options to replace that revenue.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/01/04/3254997/horry-county-solid-waste-authority.html
-The Sun News
7. Call2Recycle Program Big Hit with Consumers
Rechargeable batteries can be recycled for free at many retail stores that participate in the
Call2Recycle national take-back program: Home Depot, Radio Shack, Staples, Office Depot,
Batteries Plus, Lowe’s and many, many more. Over 50% of consumers then stay in the store and
make other purchases, according to Call2Recycle. Retailers get free advertising on
Call2Recycle, Earth911.org and other recycling websites visited by consumers.
http://www.call2recycle.org/drop-shop-retail-recycling-programs-provide-great-environment-for-consumers/
8. Textbook Recycling
The National Wildlife Federation, McGraw-Hill Companies and NewPage published A Research
Study on Textbook Recycling in America in November 2012. The University of Wyoming is
featured in the case studies.
http://www.nwf.org/Eco-Schools-USA/Our-Partners/Textbook-Recycling-Program.aspx
9. 2013 Paper Recycling Awards: Entries Now Being Accepted
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) is accepting entries for their recycling
awards until February 15, 2013. Businesses, communities or schools can tout their paper
recycling activities and receive national recognition, as well as a $2,000 grand prize. Last year
Perry High School in Ohio recycled 466 pounds of paper per student to win! Other winners
included a property group and a naval base.
http://paperrecycles.org/news/press_releases/2013_recycling_awards_call_for_entry.html
10. Webinars, Trainings, Conferences and More
- January 16, 2013 / Noon/ Free
Green Your Office Equipment! Introductory Webinar
Sponsored by the State Electronics Challenge
(click here to register)
- February 12, 2013 / TBD / Free
International Perspectives from Community Leaders on SustainableConsumption
Sponsored by EPA Region 10
- March 12, 2013 / TBD / Free
U.S. Policies that Encourage Sustainable Consumption
Sponsored by EPA Region 10
- April 9, 2013 / TBD / Free
Changes Choices: Choosing to Consume Sustainably
Sponsored by EPA Region 10
