The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
But voices recycling frustrations and concerns
By Kendra Walker
The Mt. Crested Butte Town Council has agreed to extend their trash and recycling collection and disposal agreement with Waste Management for another three years.
“Things are working well for us in working with Waste Management and I think the agreement is in good shape, so I would recommend approval,” said Mt. Crested Butte town manager Joe Fitzpatrick.
Council member Roman Kolodziej asked if there was a possibility in extending the agreement for just one year, rather than three, voicing his displeasure for the lack of recycling efforts, despite his due diligence to adhere to recycling protocol.
He explained his attempts to shred his documents and put them in clear bags for pickup, the recycling procedure confirmed by Waste Management, only to find later that it all went to the trash anyway.
“Everything just goes to the garbage and I’m really not happy with that,” he said. “If we do a one year extension, that allows us to make a change along the road.”
“I’m not sure if there’s a better option out there,” said Fitzpatrick, explaining the only other commercial option is Golden Eagle Trash Service, whose rates have increased. “The recycling world is really in a turmoil right now. We take our shred to Gunnison.”
“Could Roman throw his on your truck?” joked council member Nicholas Kempin. “Sorting is the problem, people don’t sort. I share your frustration,” he said to Kolodziej.
Town clerk Tiffany O’Connell also explained that it’s easier on staff to have a three-year agreement versus one year, as it takes staff time to coordinate and review.
“What about demanding more information from Waste Management about what’s actually happening to our recycling?” asked Kempin. “It would be good to have them on record.”
A Waste Management representative is planning to attend a Town Council meeting in February to answer council’s questions and address their recycling concerns.
