Local recycling effort: Too much of a good thing?

St. Regis Community Cleanup Days on May 5 and 6 was cut short when bins were filled by 9 a.m. Saturday morning. Two 40 yard containers had been placed by Republic Services at Mullen Square and residents were welcome to bring recyclable items such as old furniture, tires, and appliances. Truck loads of items had to be turned away, said St. Regis Resort District board member, Jessica Connolly. The bins had been put in place at 1:30 p.m. on Friday and she thought some items had been put there before the Saturday start time.

Unfortunately, Republic Services didn’t have the man power to bring additional bins or dump and replace the ones in place. Connolly said for the next Cleanup Day they will make arrangements to have the bins dumped throughout the day to keep up with the demand and apologized for those who were turned away on Saturday. The next scheduled Cleanup Days are July 7 and 8 and Sept. 8 and 9.

Saturday also marked the opening of the Superior Recycling Center located in the Town Yard on Mullan Road West. Regular hours will be 10 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday. Residents receive one coupon per month to use the facility and after that they are asked for a donation. Items such as junk mail, cardboard, newspaper, tin, aluminum cans and plastic bottles can be dropped off.

Superior will also host a Cleanup Day on May 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. where the Town Council will furnish large dumpsters for local residents. They will accept appliances and street tires removed from the rim. Household and business garbage is not accepted. Call (406) 822-4672 to pre-arrange for curbside pickup of major appliances and furniture.