Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) is hosting two May recycling events in response to the April 9, closure of the Angel of Shavano Recycling public drop off sites, when they made the corporate decision to close their recycling business. In response to the lack of subsidized recycling drop-off locations, GARNA, Chaffee County, and the associated municipalities, including the Salida Sustainability Committee, are working toward long-term solutions. This, however, will take some time.

GARNA has clarified that it is not getting into the recycling business at this time, but says that it has a role in educating the public about options and the community’s need to keep recyclable materials out of the Chaffee County landfill to prolong its life.

GARNA’s research and data analysis for the Waste Audit and Waste Diversion Plan, under the direction of Dr. Erica Gift, showed that Angel of Shavano Recycling kept 1,500 tons of material out of the landfill every year. That’s 850 mid-sized cars. Our landfill has an estimated 90 years left, under optimal conditions, but will close much sooner if the county doesn’t divert what it can.

So, what can the community do now? GARNA urges the community to take all or some of the following steps to help address this problem:

• Purchase items that have minimal packaging. For example, instead of purchasing lettuce in a plastic container that is expensive and difficult to recycle, purchase lettuce that has no packaging. Buy local when you can.
• Sign-up for curbside, single-stream pick up. There are multiple options for recycling in Chaffee County. Residents interested in curbside recycling options can reach out to local waste haulers: Chaffee County Waste and Waste Management. There is a cost associated with recycling and curbside pick-up (just like paying for your trash pick-up).
• Share a curbside bin with neighbors or if you live in an area without service, partner with neighbors to find a place for a recycling dumpster and share the service.
• If you cannot afford curbside pick-up and would like to recycle, or if curbside waste haulers don’t service your area, you may sign up for one of the upcoming community recycling drop-off events. They are giving GARNA members the  first option to reserve a spot, because they believe members have an eye towards equitability. There will only be one 30-yard dumpster at each event, and 60 reservation spots to fill. If you are a GARNA member and don’t need your spot but know someone in need of equitable access to recycling, you may sign up one friend or neighbor.  This drop-off event will only accommodate 60 people per day and was designed to provide a small bit of recycling equity. Registration is required and costs $1 to hold your spot.

The first event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on May 1 at Marvin Park, 900 West First Street, Salida. Registration is required. Click here to register.

The second event will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 21, at Buena Vista Public Works Shop, 755 Gregg Dr. Buena Vista. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Registrants can drop off clean No. 1-7 plastics, aluminum, glass and cardboard. Items don’t need to be presorted but must be clean and dry. Volunteers will be on hand to monitor what goes into the recycling bin. To volunteer, click here.

Due to the high interest in this event, GARNA asks county residents to respect that it can only accommodate households that are not able to afford the monthly recycling fees for curbside pick-up, or those that have no other option such as those living in an area unable to get service.