A while back one frequented the Mini Max Market. The cat left, only to be joined by another (albeit smaller) friend between the grain elevator and golf course. These two AlleyCats relocated several weeks ago to the west end of the lot that houses the former police station.
Keep Alliance Beautiful moved its two recycling trailers – a 10-container configuration and another reserved for cardboard/paperboard – at the request of the Village municipal offices, with just over a month until the New Year. The pair now reside, coincidentally, next to the alley. By now I assume Hemingford’s serious patrons of the mobile receptacles have either found the new location or contacted somebody who could point them in the right direction. Like our other trailers, we do our best to park KAB’s trailer’s in the spot requested. I hope this change attracts new residents and a few more passersby.
The first week on a fresh calendar traditionally means looking forward. Stepping into 2024 will bring changes at the recycling center. Who knows whether what our crew’s workplace looks like day-to-day will shift little compared to 2023 or present a marked contrast for people who have not visited in a while.
Speaking for myself, and drawing on comments from coworkers, below are versions of the spirit of KAB Future that may have come in the wee hours from a Victorian dream:
>One Million Pounds: Our Keep Nebraska Beautiful affiliate continues to chase this volume threshold. We set a new recycling record in 2023 and will strive to keep another 75 tons of “trash” out of the Alliance landfill throughout the next 12 months to surpass a million.
>Volunteers: Paid staff do the heavy lifting (literally) to process materials for shipment at KAB. We welcome and appreciate all the volunteers and hours contributed. However, I envision long-term and regular contributions from more people. This could be an opportunity to actively recruit youth, retirees and anyone in between with an interest in a healthier planet and a slice of time to spare.
>Resources: KAB adds resources strategically as opportunity and funds allow, most recently a third pickup and flatbed trailer. A fourth baler tops the wish list. Squeeze it into a rectangular cube and out the door. The other day Dixie left this illustration in the office: An empty 20 oz. water bottle weighs about .33 oz – lid included. It takes about 48 bottles to weigh one pound. Picture a 300-pound bale in our warehouse. The bale would have around 14,400 bottles in the space of 2x3x4-feet destined for post-consumer use, not a landfill cell.
>Clean and categorized: An ideal version of 2024 ushers in an era without a speck of trash to be found, and where the majority of what comes through our doors is presorted from drive-up, curbside and trailers. Realistically, we promote spending a few minutes, if possible, to separate as a good habit that saves hours on our end. Free and affordable, single-stream options promote convenience in the ongoing process of recruiting and retaining recyclers.
Thanks for recycling and investing in a clean community as we ponder the potential of what we can do together in the new year.