Reducing Waste: Howard Disposal launches new materials recovery facility

Howard Disposal & Recycling is doing its part to protect the environment while at the same time helping the local economy by creating seven new full-time jobs.

Howard Disposal & Recycling put its new materials recovery facility to use in March. Recycling isn’t new at Howard Disposal & Recycling, but the MRF is. All plastic (Nos. 1 and 2), aluminum, cardboard, office paper and newspaper is dumped into one heap that travels to the top of the MRF to be hand sorted by six employees. They drop their designated materials into a bin to be crushed and baled by another worker on the ground level.

“We are just trying to reduce our landfill footprint,” said Dave Howard, owner and operator. “We wish people would recycle more — we’re going to push it a little harder.”

Reducing Waste

Howard Disposal & Recycling currently provides curb-side recycling pickup for more than 900 customers. Howard said his company has seen a significant decrease in the amount of trash collected since the recycling program started a few years ago.

“The whole thing is, we want to reduce the waste that is going into the trash,” said Tim Neely, recycling coordinator.

One bale of cardboard can weigh between 1,300 to 1,500 pounds, and Howard Disposal & Recycling produces 10 to 15 bales each week. One bale of aluminum cans can weigh about 500 pounds, and about 80 yards in recyclable materials is collected by the business’ truck each week.
Recyclables may be dropped off at no charge at Howard Disposal’s transfer station at 645 McDaniel Blvd. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Curb service is available for a quarterly charge of $13.75, in addition to the regular trash pick up. Acceptable materials are all plastics (Nos. 1 and 2), aluminum, cardboard, office paper and newspaper. The center does not accept glass or plastic grocery bags.
Article source: http://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/ci_28065980/reducing-waste-howard-disposal-launches-new-materials-recovery