| ICR
celebrates 5th anniversary
Congratulations Idaho County patrons! Because of your overwhelming support, enthusiasm, and community spirit Idaho County Recycling will celebrate their 5th anniversary on Saturday, October 18th at the three sites: Grangeville, Cottonwood and Kooskia. ICR began when a small task force initiated by Commissioner James Rockwell met in March of 2009 with the directive to: “Establish a long term sustainable recycling program” (with zero cost to the county.) Starting with nothing—no money, no workers, no knowledge, but with amazing support from the community and a handful of dedicated volunteers-- a partnership with Lewis Clark Recyclers Inc. was developed. On October 31, 2009 the first can was tossed into the empty bins and 13,910 pounds was collected. That little program, (once a month at Fenn on Saturday and Kooskia the following Sunday) grew and Grew and GREW until, at the end of the fifth year over 2,700,000 pounds have been diverted from the land fill to be made into new products.Over the past year collections have averaged over 56,500 pounds per month. That’s a lot to celebrate! Highlights of the five years include: Grants from The Idaho Community Foundation, and DEQ and donations from our patrons which made possible the purchase of our own collection bins. Generous lease agreements from Idaho Forest Group, Kidder Harris, City of Cottonwood and Jeff Uptmor, providing sites and weekly recycling opportunities. A partnership with Cash and Carry grocery for a cardboard compactor provides convenient recycling for businesses and pledged donations help fund the program. Opening of the Riggins site in June met another ICR goal. The most amazing aspect of the recycling program is that it has a county-wide focus which cuts across economic, political lines and the social spectrum for the common good. Join the celebration and stop by the three sites on Saturday (Grangeville and Cottonwood 9 to 11 and Kooskia 10 to 12) for treats, door prizes and information. 
THAT WAS THEN: The top photo shows the first day of recycling on October 31, 2009, for Idaho County Recycling's Grangeville and Cottonwood site, which was situated between the two cities in Fenn near the grain elevators there. Contributed photo/Idaho County Recycling. THIS IS NOW: The lower photo shows Idaho County Recycling volunteers inside a cardboard collection bin: (back row L-R) Darla Whitley, Jim Steinke (Idaho County Recycling, assistant manager of the Cottonwood site) Jay Hinterlong (Idaho County Recycling Cottonwood site manager) (front row L-R) Haley Enneking, Brandon Higgins and Lisa Dalgliesh. Photo contributed by Kathleen Steinke. |
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