By Michael Howell
Ravalli County Recycling is about to move its operation to a new and larger space located on Highway 93 north of Hamilton. The business is currently located on Old Corvallis Road opposite the Fairgrounds. But that operation will be closed on October 12 and 14 as the company moves lock, stock and barrel to its new site located at 759 Highway 93, at the old Blahnik Construction site across from Don’s Home Center. It will be open for business at the new site on October 19.
The company’s manager, Chip Britting, said that the non-profit business operates with the help of volunteers on a regular basis but will need extra help when making the move. Britting is excited about the new location as well.
“It will give us approximately five to six times the space we have at our current site,” said Britting. The new site includes an old shop building on 1.8 acres and will provide a permanent home for the baler that the company owns but has not been able to use yet. Compacting and baling the cardboard and plastic that they ship out has the potential to increase the company’s revenue significantly, he said.
“With mill ready bales we can broker with the freight company and deal directly with the mills,” he said.
Britting said the company will keep the same business hours at first, that is, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and Monday from 3 to 6 p.m. He said they are currently serving from 120 to 140 people each drop off day and are contemplating opening for drop offs on a third day once they are settled into the new site. The new site is being leased by the company at $500 per month initially but the price may be adjusted upwards once revenues increase.
The new location should be easily visible as you drive north from Hamilton on Highway 93. You will spot a large 40-foot tractor/trailer van parked on the site with large signs saying “Ravalli County Recycling.” The trailer was donated by Tim Steuve and will be used in the operation. The money to paint the signs on the side of the trailer was also donated.
“We appreciate the help we get from our community and are always in need of volunteers,” said Britting. He said six to seven volunteers are needed on every drop off day and more will be needed on moving days. Anyone interested in helping can contact Toddy Perryman at 961-4959.
David Irwin says
It’s a treat to hear some good news in Ravalli County. The new location sounds much better. It has been obvious that the Old Corvallis Road site was getting crowded. It will be a longer drive for us in Darby and further south but I think the new site will better serve Ravalli County’s recycling efforts. Now, if only rural recycling collection could be established for those who do not have the transportation or storage space to properly dispose of recyclable products. I know some past collection posts have been abused by a few folks who found them as dumping grounds for all sorts of trash.