May 21 Household Recycling Drop-off Reservations - Buena Vista

As of April 9, 2021, public drop off sites for recycling are closed due to Angel of Shavano Recycling's departure. 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 towards long-term solutions, however, this will take some time.

“In the meantime, we need your help keeping recyclable materials out of the Chaffee County landfill,” says GARNA Executive Director, Dominique Naccarato. “GARNA research and data analysis, under the direction of Dr. Erica Gift, showed that Angel of Shavano kept 1,500 tons of material out of the landfill every year. That’s 850 small-sized cars. Our landfill has an estimated 90 years left, under optimal conditions, but much sooner if we don’t divert what we can.”

When asked, “What can I do now?” Naccarato urges residents to take all or some of the following steps to help address the problem immediately:

• 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. And buy local!
• Sign-up for curb-side 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 (https://tellercountywaste.com/chaffee-county-waste/; 719.395.6656) and Waste Management (www.wm.com/colorado; 719.539-6911). There is a cost associated with recycling and curb-side pick-up (just like paying for your trash pick-up).
• If you cannot afford curb-side pick-up and would like to recycle, or curbside waste haulers don’t service your area, please sign up for one of upcoming free community recycling drop-off events.
  
  Registration is required!

The first event will take place in Salida on Saturday, May 1, from 9 a.m.-noon at Marvin Park, 900 W. 1^st Street.

The second event will be in Buena Vista on Friday, May 21, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Buena Vista Public Works Shop, 755 Gregg Dr.

Residents 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, sign up at the Chaffee County Community Foundation’s Volunteers in Action (VIA) Chaffee platform here: https://www.viachaffee.org/need/detail/?need_id=58...

Due to the high interest in this event, we can only accommodate households that are not able to afford the monthly recycling fees for curb-side pick-up or those that have no other option such as living in an area unable to get service. Chaffee County Waste has graciously donated one 30-yard dumpster and it may fill quickly so if you have other options, please use them! Start with refusing and reusing.

“We’ve heard many inspiring solutions about neighbors teaming up to afford one curbside bin, and self-policing to ensure that their bin remains free from contamination,” says Naccarato. “We’ve also heard about homes that can’t receive curbside service (in unincorporated areas of the county) partnering with neighbors to find a place for a recycling dumpster and sharing the service. With solutions like these, we think we’ll actually be able to increase our diversion rate, substantially, if the community takes advantage of existing services.”

NOTE: A separate electronics recycling and other waste event will be held from 10 am to 4 pm. May 21, sponsored by Town of Buena Vista Public Works. Registration is NOT required for this event. Learn more: https://garna.org/wp2020/wp-content/uploads/2021/0...