Superior recycling program races funding shortfall

There is a danger of the recycling program in Superior of shutting down due to the lack of adequate donations to cover the costs for the bin pulls.

In the past fiscal year, the program paid Republic Services a total of $13, 490 for bin and glass pulls. Each bin pull costs $581 and there are usually two pulls per month. Glass pulls cost $400 each time. The town of Superior pays $200 per month out of the general fund to help cover costs for in-town residents.

At the close of the fiscal year on June 30, a review of the financials indicated the program would be in the red before the end of the year. On average, donations were $730 per month which comes to $8,758, where the total cost of bin pulls was $11,090 for the year. At the current pace, it is estimated that there will be enough funding for two pulls per month for four to five months.

This is the only recycling operation left in the county. 

There are many reasons for those that tried but had to close their doors, but the primary cause was because if the recycling bins weren’t behind a locked fence, people would use them as garbage dumpsters. Volunteers spent most of the time sorting garbage from recyclables. This is the reason the Superior Recycling Center is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. because the bins require monitoring.

Lorrie Stewart has been a volunteer for about a year and a half.  

“There are currently five of us (volunteers) right now, but like every other place, we could use some more help. Prices have changed, Republic (Services) are charging more, and people just aren’t donating,” she shared. “They come in with a pickup load of cardboard and they dump it and take off. They don’t think they need to offer any financial assistance for that.”

Donations are the lifeline of the program, and the requested amount is posted when you enter the center at 449 Mullan Road West. 

Kelly Dillon is the town councilor who oversees this program and Brenda Schneider with the Town of Superior handles finances. 

“The grants I have found are for equipment, not operating expenses. The bin pulls are the expenses for the recycling center and are the only operating expenses. I continue to search for grants regularly,” she said. “The school has annually contributed $1,200 and there are several businesses that contribute regularly which is of great help,” Schneider added.   

The program commenced in the spring of 2017 and at first there was only one bin pull per month. 

“Currently we have the bin pulled two times per month.  And sometimes three times. There are a lot more people from outside of the town limits using the facility.” 

Recently they were closed on a Saturday because the bins were full and Republic Services in Missoula couldn’t make an unscheduled trip to pull it. The concept is working, people are participating but donations are lacking.

Click on the ‘Recycling Menu’ at www.townofsuperior@blackfoot.net for a comprehensive list of what our little center accepts.