Recycling program launches in Ashton

Come to the ribbon cutting!

FREMONT COUNTY — A new recycling program will soon be launched in Ashton, Sara Etheridge of the Horizons Recycling Committee announced this week. The Ashton Community Recycling Center will open officially with a ribbon cutting ceremony set for 2:30 p. m. Friday, April 9 iin the west side of the city of Ashton's parking lot.  Everyone is invited!

The program is funded by the city of Ashton and Fremont County and is open to city residents and rural residents in northern Fremont County, including Island Park.

The recycling service consists of a large trailer with bins that will collect all plastic; aluminum cans: tin cans; all paper; newspaper; corrugated cardboard (boxes); and fiberboard, which is the cardboard used to make cereal boxes and the cartons that carry beverages.

Etheridge emphasized that all cans and plastic containers should be rinsed before they’re recycled so there is no odor to attract animals. Bins will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p. m. daily except Sundays.

Fremont County’s landfill fund purchased the bins for $15,000, and the county will haul them to the St. Anthony landfill when they’re full, and then send the materials to the various places that take recyclables.

This new service will not replace the recycling programs at the Island Park and St. Anthony landfills, which accept all the above materials and also batteries, tires, and computer equipment for recycling. It will be a great convenience for people who use a trash pick-up service that does not recycle.

“A main goal is to keep things out of the landfill,” Etheridge said.

Etheridge said Ashton area residents participating in the Horizons program identified a need for recycling around two years ago.

Horizons is a University of Idaho program that tries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable prosperity in rural communities. It is funded by the Northwest Area Foundation, based in Minnesota. More than 300 communities in seven states have participated in Horizons since it began in 2003. Ashton has been involved since 2008. Citizens meet in “study circles” to identify the causes and ways to reduce in their communities. They learn community leadership skills and work together to create a long-term vision and action plan to help their community thrive. Horizon communities receive $10,000 for training, technical assistance, and help with programs.

University of Idaho Extension has brought Horizons to 49 communities across the state. Idaho Horizons communities range in size from 226 to 4,900 residents and have poverty rates from 11 - 30%. A steering committee made up of local volunteers in each community leads the program, guided by a coach hired by the University of Idaho. Ashton’s current steering committee members are Nancy Bergman, Sara Etheridge, Bryan Hatton, Sara Reinke, and Linda Janssen.
 

This is part of the online edition of Henry's Fork Country.

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