www.sustainableways.org
RECYCLING
Our recycling group in the Wet Mountain Valley is made up in part with members of Sustainable Ways who have readily accepted the challenge of improving our recycling habits. The group has formed High Country Recycling, and the members have accomplished a significant amount of work over the past year to increase options for recycling in Custer County and the towns of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff.
Recycling in Custer County is accomplished through its alignment with the Upper Arkansas Recycling Program (UAR). The UAR is a collaborative effort between the Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG) and various regional entities. All of the partners in UAR have signed an inter-governmental agreement to bring recycling to our region. The program is funded by a $1.30 per capita charge per year, although in 2007, that amount was reduced to $1.12. UAR has been in operation since 1998 in Chaffee, Custer, and Fremont Counties. In 2003, UAR included sites in Pueblo West and Bessemer (Pueblo).
The program currently consists of drop-off recycling sites in all of the partner areas. We currently accept newspaper, aluminum, tin, and glass at the bins behind the Sherrif's office, telephone books are accepted at the post office bin, and junk mail inside the post office.
An Advisory Board is made up of representatives from all of the partners in the UAR. The Advisory Board makes operation recommendations to the UAACOG Board of Directors. UAACOG acts as the fiscal agent for the program. They also maintain collection totals, provide community support, coordinate special collection events, and run a specialty materials recovery facility (MRF) for glass.
Our Mission...
To have a comprehensive, successful program that supports individual, business and governmental practices that reduce waste, promotes re-use and advances recycling throughout Custer County. Our long term goal is to become a role model for rural communities within and outside of Colorado.
Links and Contact Info...
Check out High Country Recycling
Contact info: High Country Recycling is looking for people interested in assisting with the grass-roots group. If you are interested, please contact Christy Veltrie by e-mail at rveltrie@earthlink.net
One of our many new recycling bins in Westcliffe, located next to the Search and Rescue Building.
Sustainable Ways - PO Box 672 - Westcliffe, CO 81252
A Non-Profit Colorado Organization