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Waste Management urges residents to recycle holiday trash

Mike McCollum
Ivan Aguilar was busy Wednesday afternoon hauling trash from in front of houses in downtown Steamboat Springs. He said the amount of trash left at the curb was a little higher than normal - the result of the Christmas holiday.
John F. Russell

Steamboat Springs — Deputy City Manager Wendy DuBord said Wednesday that there is a sustainable way to deal with mounds of cardboard left from opened Christmas presents. — Deputy City Manager Wendy DuBord said Wednesday that there is a sustainable way to deal with mounds of cardboard left from opened Christmas presents.

— Deputy City Manager Wendy DuBord said Wednesday that there is a sustainable way to deal with mounds of cardboard left from opened Christmas presents.

“Instead of throwing it away, it’s all recyclable,” DuBord said Wednesday. “What we ask people to do when they take it to Waste Management is flatten it.”

Ron Knotts, operations supervisor with Waste Management, said the Christmas season is the trash removal service’s busiest time of year in Steamboat Springs.



“For the average customer, this is a real heavy time, but it’s also pretty busy because all the hotels and restaurants we service are pretty packed,” he said. “They definitely have quite a bin of trash to come pick up.”

Knotts added that many area condominiums have established recycling efforts, which add to Waste Management’s workload.



“It’s getting pretty heavy at times,” he said. “If you have more than you want to leave at the curb, take it to the yard, too.”

Waste Management accepts trash and recycling materials at its facility at 2701 Downhill Drive.

“If they have an account with the office, we will let them go and dump it,” he said. “If no account, it’s $2.50 per bag.”

Christmas trees also are accepted for disposal, but Knotts said the trees must be cut into four-foot lengths.

DuBord urged residents to dispose of the trees at the Howelsen Ice Arena.

“The trees can be dropped off in the northeast corner of the parking lot at any time,” said DuBord, who noted that no Christmas wreaths will be accepted.

“Remove all tinsel, lights and ribbons in order to recycle them,” she said. “After the city receives trees, they will be mulched, given to local residents and will be used in city parks.”

Knotts noted that a mobile recycling bin – dubbed the “Green Machine” – will be in Steamboat Springs on Monday.

The bin, which is placed in various Routt County locations on a rotating, weekly basis, collects No. 1 (drink bottles) and No. 2 (milk jugs) plastics, aluminum, tin and steel cans, and all paper products including cardboard.

“We’ll take just about anything to recycle, except hazardous stuff and wrapping paper,” Knotts said.

– To reach Mike McCollum, call 871-4208

or e-mail mmccollum@steamboatpilot.com


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