Features 3/24/99

Recycling: Talking trash in Cache

By Jessica Warren

I recently went to New York City for Spring Break, and noticed the unique system of recycling there.
On a street corner, I threw my half-empty pop bottle in the wire trash cans I saw on most corners of the city. Only a few seconds later, a man with his own bag of trash took it out of the can, dumped the remaining flat Diet Pepsi, and put it in his own sack. Why? That bottle is probably worth money at the nearest recycling center.
Here in Cache Valley, we are not so "fortunate" to have our own free curbside pick up. However, there are a variety of ways to help with the recycling cause, and many reasons why we should.
Logan City currently accepts a variety of recyclable products at various locations around the valley.
Jill Galloway with the Environmental Health Department for Logan City, is optimistic about the direction recycling is taking. She said that drop sites expand every year and the number of businesses that recycle is also increasing along with the number of citizens recycling.
"I think over time it's increased, and continues to increase," said Galloway.
Three new drop sites have been added since last June.
Comparing Logan and Cache County with neighboring states, Logan comes in somewhere in the middle. According to Galloway, Cache County is above and beyond cities in Montana that have more refuse than recycled products. But next to California where recycling is mandated, Cache has a long way to go because it is still on a voluntary basis.
Galloway said the main reason people don't recycle is simply because it is easier to throw it away.
Looking down the road about 15-20 years, the effects of recycling could become crucial. Paula Pitcher, also with the Environmental Health Department, is involved with landfill management and finding alternative sources for disposal. The landfill, located at 1400 West and 200 North, has about 15 years left according to Pitcher.
"If we recycle between 20 and 25 percent of our waste stream for the next 15 years, we could probably extend it another five years," she said.
Five years may not seem that long, but when it takes about 10 years to approve a new site because of environmental testing, it means a lot. It is also cheaper to operate the present landfill over a new one because of new restrictions and regulations. Pitcher said the extra time could save up to $130,000.
"We are looking into the future," said Pitcher, "with regard to disposal alternatives."
When landfills are closed, they are covered with three to six feet of soil and native grasses that will not root into the garbage. It creates a sort of cap to keep the water out of the garbage. They are then turned into parks, houses or ski resorts. The Logan landfill at closure will be approximately 110 feet high, and there are plans to turn it into a scenic route looking over the valley.
Both Galloway and Pitcher agree that recycling is cost effective.
"You do it for cost savings, not making money," said Galloway of recycling. "By extending the life of the landfill, the extra cost of opening a new one will be deferred." Galloway also points out that by recycling and reducing the amount of garbage, residents can apply for a smaller garbage can for a lower rate.
Galloway said that the keys to increasing recycling in Cache are to keep those who recycle active, to allow businesses using recyclable content to continue to make their products and to convince people to buy more products made from recycled material.
Logan City does not accept mixed paper in bulk because of problems with contamination of other products. However, Mountain Fiber Insulation will accept it from individuals and businesses.

Places to Recycle
Paradise: City Shed Park 8990 S. 200 West
Recycling: Cardboard, newspaper, aluminum cans, tin/steel cans, plastic pop bottles, plastic milk jugs, clear glass, green waste(grass, shrubs, leaves, straw, branches)
Providence: Von's Park 350 E. Center
Recycling: Same as Paradise
Hyrum: East Park 800 E. and Main
Recycling: Same as Paradise
Nibley: Across from Ball Park 296 W. 3600 South Recycling: Same as Paradise minus green waste
Logan: Landfill 200 N. 1400 West.
Recycling: Cardboard, newspaper, aluminum cans, tin/steel cans, plastic pop bottles, plastic milk jugs, clear glass, green waste, aluminum scrap, ferrous metals (tin, steel, or scrap metals), tires, oil, carpet pad, batteries, pallets
Smith's Food King 442 N. 175 East
Recycling: Cardboard, newspaper, aluminum cans, tin/steel cans, plastic pop bottles, plastic milk jugs, clear glass, brown and green glass
Hyde Park: Lee Park 600 W. and Hyde Park Lane
Recycling: Same as Paradise
Smithfield: Lee's Market Place 850 S. Main
Recycling: Newspaper, aluminum cans, tin/steel cans, plastic pop bottles, plastic milk jugs
Richmond: 55 S. State
Recycling: Same as Paradise
Lewiston: 190 E. Center
Recycling: Same as Paradise
Trenton: City Park
Recycling: Cardboard, newspaper, tin/steel cans, plastic pop bottles, plastic milk jugs, clear glass, green waste


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