Author’s Note: This is the eighth in a series featuring people from our list of nearly 200 paid and free senior Alliance-area curbside recyclers.
Scott, Becky and Chili Potmesil
Scott and Becky Potmesil were married in 2005, they have a son, Chili. The family lives on a ranch north of Antioch and has a house in Alliance (since 2013). Becky is a substitute teacher and helps at the ranch. She is also on the State FSA committee and Cattlemen’s Beef Board.
Q: How long have you been on curbside, and why did you sign up?
Becky: I thought it was a little over a year ago. Before that we’d accumulate it, accumulate it then bring it in. Unless you have a pickup truck to haul it around in, it’s easier to have it picked up. Most of the time we bring stuff from the ranch ourselves (to the recycling center). . . . Try to keep everything separate. . . . It’s amazing how much can be recycled. . . . could be 2-3 weeks before (we need to take the trash out).
Q: What do you recycle?
Becky: We have a box for cardboard, a bag for plastic and anything with a triangle, all the orange bag stuff in a bag, and tin, aluminum, styrofoam, fiberboard and paper.
Q: How has this service influenced your opinion of recycling?
Becky: I have always tried to recycle. It’s made it so much easier, it’s made it pleasant. I’m just so excited Alliance is doing it, so important to me. When I go to my parents’ town, they don’t have recycling – everything goes in the trash and it just hurts me.
Q: Newest thing you’ve added to the bag?
Becky: Styrofoam. A little more of a pain, but it’s worth it.
Q: Why do you feel it is important to recycle?
Becky: I think it is helping with climate change in the most minute way. If I can help I’m happy about that. I think landfills are attrocious . . . I’m amazed at how much garbage we produce – there is so much that can be reused.
Q: Other “green” practices at your home?
Becky and Scott try to be considerate of the environment. At the ranch, they reuse tractor oil as lubricant in other pieces of equipment. They have converted a lot of the windmills to solar. All feed and salt bags are recycled and they reuse lick tubs. Horses, not ATVs, are still for most tasks.
Q: Future plans?
Sustainable practices to operate the ranch will continue to be essential in the coming years. Without them, “we wouldn’t have grass for the cattle from year-to-year,” Becky said. The Potmesils participate in Grassland CRP, part of President Biden’s 30/30 Plan to have more land set aside for conservation.