People offer a range of comments as they bring bags, boxes and often packed vehicles into the Keep Alliance Beautiful Recycling Center. Beyond a simple “thank you” the topic usually concerns the organized chaos before their eyes. “You must be behind . . . it’s job security . . . where do I put it . . . the trailers were full so I brought it by . . .” Yes, we are busier than ever and the numbers tell the story. Recycling volumes at KAB are up 18.7 tons (37,408 pounds) this year compared to the first half of 2023.
On almost any given day cardboard accounts for the most bales produced to ship. Earlier this month the two machines we feed constantly like baby birds popped out four bales – around two tons – within seven hours. In fact, the second quarter saw 151,591 pounds of cardboard hauled to Western Resources Group in Ogallala – the greatest volume in the past 3 ½ years. Also, cardboard accounted for nearly 60 percent of the total weight in the second quarter. As has been the case, first quarter numbers this year were a bit smaller at 116,323 pounds.
Mixed paper amounts jumped significantly compared to the first quarter with the 41,182-pound total less than a ton off the high mark in 2022. White paper, junk mail, newspapers and magazines all go into the same 4x4x4-foot totes as “mixed paper”. A near-record flow of paper has paired well with cardboard as our hauler, Spud Rowley from Kimball, likes when we prep them in pairs: a bale stacked on a tote.
Other highlights include:
> Area recyclers continue to embrace the Hefty bag option for otherwise unrecyclable plastics such as shopping bags and styrofoam. This past quarter is the sixth consecutive gain and highest overall at 5,128 pounds.
>Yearound electronics recycling, an affordable $1 suggested donation per item, brought in 7,028 pounds April-June compared to 4,799 to open 2024.
>After storing bales in 2023 to make a sizable load, we send 11,120 pounds of milk jugs to Kearney in June.
>In addition to 12 specific categories, materials that did not fit left the recycling center as well. This past quarter featured 4,621 pounds of “Other”.
The official quarterly volumes I reference total categories of materials, not where any certain amount originated. That information is more elusive. However, KAB’s partnership with Keep Chadron Beautiful this past year has averaged about 3,000 pounds a month from community collection events and more than double that hauled on a regular basis from around 50 businesses.
Traveling downhill now toward 2025, I commend our recyclers as we logged 454,725 pounds January to June. I would love to see another record year and there is no reason this pace should not continue. A few volunteers to help grease the gears may even make the million-pound mark a reality. Call our office, 762-1729, the recycling center, 763-1410, or stop by 107 ½ Cheyenne Ave. to find out how to lend a hand.