The Blaine County commissioners are to be commended for not assuming that recycling in our valley has all been done correctly and is in line with our community's vision. As reported, the solid waste district has consistently put recycling on the back burner and treated it like a neglected stepchild. Now the commissioners can change all that and bring recycling into better alignment with the community's vision.
The county has an opportunity to hear directly from the community and to clarify what this vision really is. At present, our community has no stated goals regarding recycling or the amount of trash we generate. Yet when I see all the people using reusable bags at the grocery store, going to the recycling drop-offs and recycling at the curb, I realize that people value minimizing trash and maximizing recycling. Soliciting input about how our waste (trash and recycling) should be managed would be an important step in better aligning these efforts with our community vision and a critical part of crafting a comprehensive solid-waste management plan.
For years now, we at the Environmental Resource Center have heard from those in the community who care about recycling. We receive nearly 600 calls each year about recycling alone. Now you have a tremendous opportunity to voice your opinions directly and help shape how our waste and recycling program will look in the future. If you'd like to voice your opinion, leave a comment or get involved in improving our recycling efforts, please call the Environmental Resource Center at or simply visit www.ercsv.org. We've created a special recycling section where you can leave your comments, sign up to get involved and find out all the answers to your recycling questions.
Now is the community's time to stand up for recycling and help define our recycling vision for the future.
Craig Barry
Executive director
Environmental Resource Center
