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MVR SPRING NEWSLETTER,
2005
We bought a new truck this month, a Ford F-250 with a big
460 engine. It s a gas hog, but strong enough to haul
tons of recyclables to market, and uses way less
gas than everyone driving around to drop-off the goods. Andy
Roony s recent commentary on 60 Minutes
was aimed at the price of oil and American s driving
habits. He ll drive across town to save a dollar on
a pair of socks, but if we all drove 20% less we would not
have to invade our Alaskan Wilderness.
Oil is at all time high, but not high enough
to stop Americans from driving. Our glass drop-off is now
10 miles out of town- almost to The Y . MVR initiated
the glass recycling with Ozzie s Oil as the grinder/marketer.
That business has since been sold, and Ozzie has made arrangements
with Rockworks to take the equipment, grind the glass, and
try to market products. We are hoping a market for the glass
sand can be sustained. For MVR, this will increase our expenses,
but makes our curbside service an even more practical and
environmental way to recycle. You can save gas by not using
it!
On May 19th the Sustainable Business Council will hold its
last meeting of the season. Tom (me) from Missoula Valley
Recycling will be the speaker and pitch his big ideas. I would
like to see MVR involved as an advocate for recycling. The
recycling rate in Montana is an awful 15%. It bugs me that
many of the schools do not recycle. It is not so expensive-
about $300 per year- but our schools have to make so many
difficult budget decisions, that there is no funding for recycling
&. What bothers me, as a former teacher, is that we
can tell kids (in school!) that they should recycle, yet the
school does not. What is the unspoken message given there?
Kids are susceptible
to the dealers that push trash on them. I believe recycling
is a gateway (why not) action to a higher environmental
consciousness. People that recycle touch the resource, and
make a decision about where to put it. Naturally, people that
recycle become more aware of their environment. With help,
we can promote the logic of recycling at the schools in our
neighborhoods. It will be a good investment in our future.
We will work with teachers, business people, and you-our customers,
to help fund and promote recycling in Missoula schools. Your
ideas are appreciated and welcome. Would you be interested
in helping to sponsor a school? Give us a call at 543-2972.
Some of our commercial rates will rise this summer. Our standard
residential rate will stay at $10.00, which includes 20 pounds
of glass. Our special rate for seniors, singles, and BUDDIES.
(Two neighbors adjacent) will be at $8.00.
PLEASE:
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- Separate and crush your plastics. Darin says...
Wash and Squash .
- Remember to write your name on all of your re-usable plastic
bins.
- Call us three days in advance if you need to change your
pickup day.
- Check our website for updates, ideas, and community links.
www.missoulavalleyrecycling.com
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