Recycle efforts pay off here

Boundary County citizens have jumped on the green band wagon, tripling the amount they have recycled since 2007.

Claine Skeen, head of the county landfill, has reported a significant improvement in recycling numbers and citizen participation.

The landfill’s fiscal year is from October to October.

From 2007 to 2008, he reports 117 tons of aluminum, cardboard, newspaper and electronics were recycled in Boundary County.  This is from people who dropped recyclables at the landfill and at the bin set up for Boundary County Recycle Day.

From 2008 to 2009, the landfill added No. 1 and No. 2 plastics to the list and 184 tons of recyclable materials were reported.

During the last fiscal year 2009 to 2010  No. 3 through No. 7 plastics were also added to the list and the number came in at 415 tons of recycled material.

Of course adding the plastics has resulted in the increase but when you consider the weight of plastic the numbers are still impressive.

“My estimation for recycled material next year  is 600 ton or more,” Skeen said.

Skeen also said the landfill receives revenue for recycled material which helps with upkeep and running of the landfill.

“Congratulations to the citizens who have helped keep the amount of waste going into the landfill down by recycling it is definitely showing up in the numbers,” said Skeen.  “Keep up the good work.”

Skeen said it will become easier when the landfill co-mingles recyclable material so people can drop everything but glass into one bin.

People can take their No. 1 through No. 7 plastics, newspapers, aluminum, cardboard, paper and glass recyclable items to the landfill and place them in the proper bin or from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every first and third Wednesday drop them in the bin set up in the Safeway parking lot.