WSWRA Recycling Award Application (PDF)

JACKSON PLASTICS TAKE TO THE AIRWAYS
Posted: November 14, 2008 - By Heather Overholser

Jackson Community Recycling announces the airing of a new television ad which will help illustrate the "do's and don'ts" of plastics recycling in the valley. "We receive so many calls from people asking about plastic recycling that we thought our money would be well spent on a television advertisement. The visual approach is very effective. The ad is catchy and upbeat," says Heather Overholser, JCR Executive Director.

The 30-second spot, which airs on Friday, November 14 on ESPN, Discovery, Weather, Animal Planet, and Travel, conveys a simple message - JCR accepts plastic bottles only, #1 and #2. "We don't accept fruit tubs, yogurt containers, sandwich containers, cottage cheese containers, even though they are labeled #1 and #2," explains Overholser.

"About 99% of all plastic bottles are #1 or #2. They are very easy to recycle, they are worth quite a lot in the secondary market, and there are many good and reliable markets that buy recycled plastic. Other plastic containers, such as yogurt tubs, strawberry pints, etc. are much more difficult to recycle and are worth very little - if JCR can even find a market for them," says Overholser.

When glass, paper and cans are recycled, they become similar products that can be used and recycled over and over again. With plastics recycling, however, there is usually only a single re-use. Most bottles and jugs don't become food and beverage containers again. For example, pop bottles might become carpet, stuffing for sleeping bags, polar fleece, or tote bags. Milk jugs are often made into plastic lumber, recycling bins, drainage pipe, and toys.

Currently, only about 3.5% of all plastics generated are recycled, compared to 34% of paper, 22% of glass, and 30% of metals. That means we all need to recycle more #1 and #2 plastic bottles to increase the overall recycling rate and ensure that less plastic goes into the landfill.

Where do you look for the #1 and #2? The labels are on the bottom of the bottle. The design of some #1 plastic bottles makes the label difficult to see. A general rule is: if the bottle is clear (even though it is colored), it's a #1; if the bottle is opaque (milk jug) or colored, it's a #2. Please call 733-7678 (SORT) if you have any questions, or refer to our website at www.tetonwyo.org/recycling. This press release is posted on the JCR website.

The #1 plastic that is collected at JCR is sold to K.B. Recycling in Clackamas, Oregon. The #2 plastic is sold right here in Wyoming to Heartland BioComposites in Torrington.

"We would like to be able to collect more types of plastics, but the current market will not support it," says Overholser. "We try to cover as much of our operating expenses as possible by the sale of our recyclables. Right now we're covering about 60%, and we're not in a position to let that percentage drop. Our goal is to have 75% of our operations expenses covered by the sale of recyclables. We are trying to lessen the burden on the town and county. Our mission is to reduce landfill-bound waste in Teton County by providing convenient recycling and hazardous waste disposal opportunities, encouraging materials reuse, and reducing overall consumption."

Jackson Community Recycling thanks Jennifer Tennican, of JenTen Productions, and JCR's Publicity Committee of Keith Peters, Nate McClennen, Paul Maddex, Samantha Eddy, and Sue Morgan for their time and creativity in developing the television ad.

 


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RTF Seeks Publicity, Forums, Education
Posted: June 17, 2008 - By Joe Megeath

Clearinghouse connections and conference gatherings forums drew energetic responses at the Recycling Task Force (RTF) meeting of Tuesday, June 17. Nineteen attendees talked about ways to disseminate information about Wyoming recycling issues at the four-hour meeting. "Let's look at what we want to learn," said RTF Cochair Beth Andress.
  A motion to arrange for an RTF booth at the upcoming 25th Anniversary, 2008 WSWRA conference was passed. The booth will be staffed throughout the conference and will provide the opportunity for attendees to have one-on-one conversations with various programs. A schedule of recycling programs will be posted listing the times when they will be on duty at the booth. An appropriate banner will be made and materials about aspects of recycling will be available. Recycling programs should contact Beth Andress for further information.
  Similar booth space will be sought at other conferences such as the Rural Water Conference, Sept. 21-24, Cody; The Wyoming Association of Municipalities; and the On Sacred Ground conference.
  Discussions of additional ways to broadcast information included, an interview with a recycling person in each issue of USED NEWS, representative recycling people at solid waste planning meetings, RTF mini-conferences possibly tied directly to the annual WSWRA conference, and speaker bureaus.
  Don Connell reminded the group of the need to continue to push for a statewide, full time recycling coordinator. Such a position has been advocated by recyclers since its elimination.
  Predictable revenue sources for statewide recycling activities were also discussed as a necessity.
  Information about various recycling centers and programs is available, but it appeared to many that the information is not in a user-friendly format for finding contacts and or answering questions about specific items or issues.
  RTF is a committee formed by the Executive Board of WSWRA to address issues of recycling in Wyoming.
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2008 RECYCLING AWARD NOMINATIONS OPENED
Posted: June 12, 2008

2008 RECYCLING AWARDS NOMINATIONS

DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JULY 15

FOUR CATEGORIES
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