Recycling center in peril

The City of Sisters is currently facing a reduction in operational days of its recycling center that was originally designed to be a self-service drop-off center. It is possible that the recycling center will be closed.

On July 1, the City of Sisters issued a press release that in part stated, "Effective July 1, 2011, the operational days will be reduced from seven to four days per week.

The reduction stems from a combination of increased hauling costs for recyclable materials and cutbacks in Deschutes County financial support for recycling centers around the county." Eileen Stein, Sisters city manager, said, "Deschutes County has notified the city it will not support the Sisters Recycle Depot beyond fiscal year 2011-2012...

city staff will continue to work with High Country Disposal to explore what to do with the facility in future years if financial support for the facility cannot be sustained.

One option may be to introduce curbside pick-up for glass and motor oil.

Another option may be to consider other uses of the facility.

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The original plans designed the recycling center to be self-service/drop-off center. It would have no staffing and thus no staffing costs. Pick-up of recycling was to be by the current trash/recycling service. After design, but before it was built, Deschutes County offered to help pay to add an office to the recycling center and for a person to staff that office. At that time the county had plenty of money (and waste fees) coming in from the construction boom. They now face a shortfall.

After the recycling center was built and staffed, the City of Sisters changed its trash/recycling pick-up service and the residents of the city (not surrounding areas) were able to have curbside recycling of everything except glass and motor oil. Residents outside the city did not have this service, but could still take their recycling to the center. Currently, High Country Disposal is offering curbside recycling to some areas outside of Sisters. Thus, some volume has gone down from when the recycling center opened.

We have a four-year-old, self-service-designed recycling center. This facility serves the needs of citizens who want to drop off comingled recycling (cardboard, plastics, cans, etc.) and additionally glass and motor-oil. This helps keep our environment clean, which helps promote business and livability.

I know that one of the reasons I chose to move to Sisters was because there is recycling available.

According to this excerpt from the federal government's EPA website, "Recycling generates significant economic benefits for communities...recycling and remanufacturing industries account for approximately one million manufacturing jobs and more than $100 billion in revenue.

Investments in recycling equipment and the companies themselves also filter through the economy and contribute to economic growth.

Equally important are the social and environmental benefits...recycling promotes the sustainable use of our natural resources.

Working together, recycling activities around the country promote community development while reducing the need for new landfills, preventing pollution, saving energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Why can't the recycling center revert back to or become the facility it was designed to be: self-service? Why would we let Deschutes County close our recycling center? Why would Sisters sell an asset that the city owns? What about our environment, livability and the economic benefits?

Let the council know your thoughts as soon as possible by phoning 541-549-6022 or writing in care of the city recorder: The City of Sisters is currently facing a reduction in operational days of its recycling center that was originally designed to be a self-service drop-off center..