Paying to recycle still a benefit at county landfill

By LAURA ROADY

Staff writer

BONNERS FERRY — A turn in the recycling market means the Boundary County Solid Waste Department is paying to recycle plastics.

“It is still to our benefit to recycle,” said Solid Waste Department supervisor Claine Skeen.

Recycling kept more than 440 tons of material out of the landfill last year and helped keep the landfill within the small community exemption requirement.

The Solid Waste Department has to pay to ship away all the recyclables and only makes a profit on the aluminum cans, which are pulled out of the recycling bin before being shipped away to the Blue Bird Recycle facility in Coeur d’Alene or to Waste Management in Spokane.

On July 1, the cost to recycle was increased to $25 per ton.

Despite the fluctuation in the market, there is not an increase in the solid waste fee. Skeen adjusted the solid waste department budget so the fee was not increased. The adjustment means waiting on the construction of the Moyie monitoring site.

The landfill and monitoring sites will continue to accept recyclables as recycling is a benefit for the landfill’s life span.

Take note that household batteries are not a recyclable item and should be placed in household waste containers.

Styrofoam, glass and plastic bags have to be separated from the recyclables, but all other recyclables can be combined.

If you don’t recycle, then jump on board--it’s easy! For more information, call the Landfill at 267-3813.