Local program gains award from Nebraska Recycling Council

    The recycling program, now operated by the city of Imperial, will receive one of the annual awards given by the Nebraska Recycling Council.
    The council’s Member of the Year award will be presented to the city in October at the NRC’s annual conference to be held virtually again this year.
    With the award has come a few changes and upgrades at the recycling center, located off East Highway 6 at 120 Cape Street, just west of Harchelroad Motors.
    The noticeable changes include new signage on the building, a cleaner depositing system and changes inside allowing workers easier access as they bundle materials.
    The city is also working with a new contractor who now accepts glass, and picks up the bundled recyclables on a more regular basis.
    And, in a month or two, the program will start accepting electronics, said City Clerk/Administrator Jo Leyland.
    Leyland said workers have been battling an unkempt recycling center for years.
    While realizing the changes in how recyclables are deposited may take more time, there’s a reason for it.
    “It’s designed to prevent abuse,” she said.
    Now, when a person enters the east door, they’ll be greeted by designated slots through which recyclables can be deposited.
    There is one slot for tin cans, another for aluminum cans and a third for plastics. On the north side of the entrance, recyclers can leave their newspapers, magazines and office paper all in one open area—no separation is needed.
    Glass recyclables are now to be left outside the east entrance, Leyland said, in large plastic totes. Previously, the glass collection area was inside the building.
    Cardboard items continue to be collected in the outside collection area.
    Leyland is excited about adding the collection of electronics, including TVs and printers.
    While that won’t happen for a month or two, large toters will be placed at the site for electronics. Pallets may be placed for larger items, she said.
    Additional signage will be added to identify each collection area, Leyland added.
    Inside the building where the bundling occurs, new concrete partitions have been built to keep items separated and allow for easier access with the skid loader.
    Making it easier for workers to bundle is important, because Leyland said they are going out quicker with a new buyer, Earl Rowley from Kimball.
    Bundles of recyclables are picked up every couple weeks now, she said. Some are taken to WRG in Ogallala and Rowley handles some himself.
    Rowley accepts electronics, one of the reasons the city’s program was able to add that.
    New signage was important because the old signs were outdated and deteriorating.
    Funds from the department purchased most of the new signs, but a large message printed on the east side of the building was paid for by Leyland herself. She liked the message, she said.
    Earlier this year, the city of Imperial assumed control of the entire solid waste program, which includes the recycling program.
    It was formerly operated by the city and county under an agreement and was known as the  Southwest Nebraska Solid Waste Agency.
Member Award details
    Heather Creevan, executive director of NRC, said Imperial was selected as Member of the Year after purchasing the recycling center following dissolution of the SNSWA and restructuring how the center is funded.
    “They have one of the most robust pay-as-you-throw programs in the state,” she added, which charges a sticker fee when trash is to be picked up.
    Working with the new contractor from Kimball allowed a better glass collection system, she added, and all program information is in English and Spanish, making it more accessible to all residents.
    The Member of the Year Award is presented to a Nebraska Recycling Council member that has demonstrated loyal support for NRC by participating in events, volunteering time, treasure or talent and by taking advantage of NRC member services, she added.
    Creevan said NRC’s vision is a future in which all materials are reserved for their highest and best use and landfill disposal is the last resort.
    “Our great wish is to protect Nebraska’s good life for future generations,” she said.
    A crew was scheduled to be in Imperial Wednesday this week to make a short video that will be shown at the fall conference during the awards program.
    Appropriately, Creevan said the plaque the city will receive is made totally of recycled materials.