By Janice Lee, President, Ravalli County Recycling
To all residents of Ravalli County:
Ravalli County Recycling is determined to stay open and keep on recycling. We have challenges at the moment but we’re dedicated to facing head on the problems of human-generated waste and promoting recycling as one of the solutions. All garbage in Ravalli County gets trucked to the landfill in Missoula. That’s a lot of fuel and carbon emissions. What we all call “the dump” is actually a transfer station and everything collected there goes to the Missoula landfill also. Of course, sometimes you don’t have any other option (mattresses for example), but there are several entities in the Bitterroot to help you re-use and recycle.
At Ravalli County Recycling, on Highway 93 north of Hamilton, we will accept the following materials and recycle them for you: aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, newspaper, magazines, office paper, and corrugated cardboard. Yes, the market value of some of these is low at the moment but the board and volunteers of our non-profit are not willing to give up. We’ve faced other challenges in the past eight years and plan on continuing into the future. We have a website and a Facebook page where you can get more information. Or come by on Mondays 2-5 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 12 noon to drop off your recyclables, chat with the volunteers, and put money in the pink donation cans. We’re open and are determined to continue to facilitate recycling in the Bitterroot for many years to come.
Modern Recycling, north of Sheafman Creek Road on Highway 93 will accept and recycle anything made of metal. And Habitat for Humanity, on Old Corvallis Road in Hamilton, may be able to use lumber, plumbing and electrical supplies, and lots of other leftovers after you do your own remodel. Craigslist has a free category where you can post items and let someone else re-use what you no longer want. Many opportunities to foster re-use and recycling here in the Bitterroot.
We live in the Bitterroot because we love the way of life and want to preserve it. Re-using and recycling are ways you can help keep our valley beautiful. Ravalli County Recycling is open and plans to stay open. Come by and drop off your recyclables or call (406) 375-5398 to schedule pick up at your home, curbside, on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.