Recycling working, could be better
June 21, 2013
A number of people have asked staff at the Boundary County Landfill of late if, after going through the extra effort of sorting and putting recyclables in the proper places, their household garbage is just going in the ground.

There's reason to suspect that, but according to landfill supervisor Claine Skeen, the answer is a resounding "NO!"

Last fiscal year, 440 tons of materials from Boundary County's trash was hauled away, either to Bluebird Recycling in Coeur d'Alene or to Waste Management in Spokane to be recycled and reused. So far this fiscal year, 372 tons of material have been taken.

That's one to two semi loads each week.

People might be concerned the program isn't working, Skeen said, when they happen to see people sorting through those recyclables ... sorting the wheat from the chaff.

"We're still getting garbage in the recyclables, and we have to dig it out," Skeen said, "The people of Boundary County are doing a good job, but we need to do better."

It might sound like a bit of trouble, but doing better at separating and keeping the "garbage" out of the recycle bins and piles will prolong the life of the Boundary County Landfill and save county taxpayers millions of dollars.

In the mid-1990s, Boundary County faced the threat of closing the landfill and being forced to ship all its solid waste to federally approved disposal sites miles away. The costs, both immediate and long term, would have been devastating to everyone in the county.

Fortunately, county commissioners at the time, along with a lot of work, help and good advice from Skeen and his then boss, the late Woody Watts, were able to keep Boundary County safe from a costly fate that befell many small communities ... earning a "Subtitle D" exemption to federal regulations regarding solid waste disposal that allowed the landfill to remain open.

A robust recycling program was and is critical to retain that exemption, as there are strict limits now on what and how much material can go in the ground.

In the years since, Boundary County's recycling program has grown progressively better.

One idea that started early and continues today ... tomorrow, in fact, is "Take it or Leave it Day," which capitalizes on the idea, "one person's junk is another's treasure."

Sponsored now by the Helping Hands of Naples, this year's Take It or Leave It Day takes place at the fairgrounds from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and it's where to take thinks that are junk to you but a bit too good to throw away.

It's like a massive yard sale wherein everything offered is free.

You see something you like or have use for, you take it, free of charge. And each year, people seem to find things they've wanted or been looking for for years ... turning trash to treasure.

It's become so popular, a second Take It or Leave Day will be held in August.

With the day-to-day stuff, though, a wee bit more attention should be paid by the recycler to make sure that recyclables go into the appropriate bin and that they are ready for recycling. It's getting easier, but a bit of effort is still involved.

You don't have to separate cardboard, paper, tin or aluminum cans or plastic containers anymore; they can all go in the same bin. But you do need to rinse; no scraps of tuna in the tin cans, no mayonnaise, relish, catsup or mustard in the plastic containers.

Glass must be separated, and it, too, needs rinsed. Plastic film; Saran wrap, grocery bags, visquine, the baggies you pack the kid's lunches in, go into a separate container. It, too, has to be free of food residue.

There are separate places for wood (including lumber, brush, trees, leaves and grass clippings) ... lumber can have nails, paint, screws or staples, but hinges, turnbuckles or other hardware should be removed or you could pay a fee ... Lead acid batteries (big batteries, not those you put in toys or cameras) and electronics, which includes anything that plugs into the wall that doesn't have a picture tube.

You can even recycle oil and antifreeze and tires.

You don't even have to drive to the landfill; the county has recycle stations at 197 Deep Creek Loop in Naples, 963 Kootenai Trail Road in Paradise Valley and at the junction of Highways 95 and 1 in Copeland, all manned with people to help from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except on national holidays, when all landfill locations are closed.

Everything you can do to reuse and recycle is a benefit; to find out more, call (208) 267-3812.