(don't use) Slider, Opinion

{GUEST COLUMN} Recycling: making it a habit

By KAYE SULLIVAN
Special to the Herald Times
RBC | I’m attempting to instill better recycling habits in our house hold. After residing in Boulder County for a while where zero waste was drilled into us, we’ve fallen into bad habits of just tossing stuff that can and should be recycled. Thus, I’ve researched Meeker resources for recycling and trash disposal that might help you too.
Landfills across the USA are reaching capacity and often leak toxic substances which leads to finding more landfill space. When toxic items, including everyday items like paint and batteries, go into landfills, they can create hazardous gases and potentially impact nearby water sources. All this costs money, mostly to tax payers.
Many used items like paper, plastic and aluminum cans can be repurposed into new products when sent to the right location. Different recycling streams handle different items. On the bottom of most plastic containers, you’ll see a triangle logo with a number that indicates the grade of plastic. This numbering system assists recyclers in appropriate sorting.
Proper recycling requires time and effort. Meeker does not offer a “mixed use” approach where you can throw everything into one recycling bin. But, it does have a free 24/7 recycling center at 109 Third St. that handles many common household items. Electronics, appliances and other items can be left for a small fee.
So, don’t trash that box or any cardboard. Just flatten it and drop off at the Recycle Center along with white paper, newspapers, aluminum cans, and plastics #1 and #2. Essentially #1 includes soda bottles, water bottles and food packaging. #2 includes packaging for detergents, milk containers, hair care products, etc.
Set up a home system where you can sort your stuff by category then drop it off wherever you want. Questions? Contact Lee Overton at 970-683-8219, appointed by the Town Board to operate the center.
Used tires can go to the Rio Blanco County Landfill, 1496 CR 72 (near Piceance Creek turnoff on Highway 64) for $4 and up, depending on size. They also take asphalt, bricks, scrap metal and even junk vehicles plus commercial waste. Fees are charged based on the category and weight. Find more detailed information at the County’s website or call 970-878-9590.
Remember: nothing toxic or hazardous, no ammunition, chemicals, or electronics. Also, dispose in your own county and please do not dump stuff on public lands or private property.
That still leaves some major categories of unwanted stuff like clothing, books, magazines and household goods. These are hard to recycle, but you can donate them and I’ll have some suggestions about that in the future.

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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