Category Archives: Uncategorized

Community Spoke at Recycling Forums

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Over 130 people attended the community forums to discuss the recycling program in Lander and Riverton this past month. The community stakeholders are now meeting to review the thoughts and ideas presented by community members, and compile a recommendation for the Fremont Count Solid Waste Disposal District Board. The District Board is planning an initial review of the community forum summary at their next meeting, May 16, 2016 at 9:30am at the Lander Landfill.

Forum discussion showed recycling volume needs to be higher for financial efficiency. Currently, 14 percent of the District budget is spent on five percent of its waste stream that constitutes recycling. To increase volume, county residents need to be informed of recycling’s importance and how to recycle.

Various ways of covering the cost of trash and recycling are being considered, including improving the efficiency of processing, and mandatory city fees. It was related at the forums that the cities of Laramie, Cheyenne and Gillette all charge for recycling. A contrary opinion is for non-recycling residents to be charged more for trash disposal as they are not diverting waste from the landfill.

Other ideas are to create a new tax district and help develop local markets for recyclable items. Recycled plastics are shipped to Asia to be re-manufactured into products, and the higher numbered classes of plastic have the least financial return. Looking at these economic factors, the stakeholders are considering only offering recycling for #1 and #2 plastics which are most valuable on the market.

The forum participants encouraged businesses, organizations and government entities to consider the moral responsibilities of recycling for the health of future generations. It was suggested recycling businesses be given tax reductions for providing services.

Several community members pointed out that it’s not waste until we make it waste, and the underlying issue is society’s rate of consumption. Teaching the value of buying second-hand and repairing items to younger generations is important to reducing waste.

Community Recycling Forums Scheduled

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The Fremont County Solid Waste Disposal District is reviewing its recycling program due to increased operation costs. Community members are invited to attend forums to share ideas and considerations for the recycling program in Fremont County.

Community Recycling Forums:

April 7 in Lander at the United Methodist Church, 262 N. 3rd St.

April 18 in Riverton at the Riverton City Hall Council Chambers, 816 N. Federal Blvd.

Forum participants may register for speaking slots starting at 6:30 pm. The forum meetings will be held 7-9 pm.

More information is available at: www.facebook.com/fremontcountyrecycling.

Volunteers Needed for Fish Habitat on Jan. 30

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The Fremont County Solid Waste Disposal District (District) is recycling Christmas trees to create fish habitat at Ocean Lake. The District will accept Christmas trees, at no cost, until January 29th at the Lander Landfill, Riverton Bale Facility and Dubois Landfill. Please remove all ornaments, tinsel and lights from the tree beforehand.

Volunteers are needed to help move the Christmas trees out onto Ocean Lake, and wire the trees to each other and cement blocks. When the ice melts in the spring, the trees then drop to the lake floor to provide fish habitat.

We encourage all sportsmen and those interested in enhancing the quality of aquatic life to come out and help this Saturday, January 30th starting at 9:00 am at Long Point on Ocean Lake.

For more information on volunteering contact Rene Schell, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, at 307-332-2688 or email rene.schell@wyo.gov.

Christmas Trees for Fish Habitat

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The Fremont County Solid Waste Disposal District (District) will accept Christmas trees, at no cost, immediately following Christmas Day until January 30th at the Lander Landfill, Riverton Bale Facility and Dubois Landfill for use as fish habitat in Ocean Lake. Please remove all ornaments, tinsel and lights from the tree beforehand.

To date there have been approximately 10,500 Christmas trees collected. The trees are tied together in groups of a dozen and weighted down with cinder blocks out on Ocean Lake. When the ice melts, the trees fall to the bottom of the lake and help increase the lake’s fishery.

The District, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), and Inberg-Miller Engineering make this habitat enhancement project possible. The public is invited to assist with transferring the trees from Long Point out onto the ice, and wire them together and to the concrete blocks.

We encourage all sportsmen and those interested in enhancing the quality of aquatic life to come out and help on Saturday, January 30th!

For information on volunteering call Rene Schell, WGFD at 307-332-7723 or email at rene.schell@wyo.gov.