A Brighter Future for Recycling in Chaffee County
November 6, 2024
This article is part of our Environmental Series for the Mountain Mail. Published Oct 30, 2024 By Rose Nadelhoffer “The
Sustainability
Build a Greener Future
Resources & Programs for a Sustainable Chaffee County
Improving community sustainability is a key component of GARNA’s mission and we’re working with municipal, business and citizen partners to advance important waste diversion initiatives. GARNA helped author the 2020 Waste Audit and develop the 2022 Waste Diversion Plan for the County.
Resources
Transfer Station
Fall 2023: Chaffee County Awarded $4 Million EPA Grand for Recycling and Waste Diversion. Read the Press Release Here
Transfer Station: One viable solution to aid Chaffee County waste diversion is infrastructure investment in a transfer station for recycling. Chaffee County recycling haulers such as Waste Management, Shamrock, and Chaffee County Waste all transport the recycling they gather to Colorado springs using their own refuse compactor trucks. This represents an environmental problem as this driving contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and unsustainable costs for waste haulers. Read more here: Transfer Station Zoning (arcgis.com)
We will be posting implementation status updates on this page!
Community Resources
- Recycling Guide - Information on recycling options for many items including plastics, paper, cardboard & cartons, metal, glass, textiles, shredded paper & more.
- Drop Off - GARNA members can bring recycling to our office for $5/load.
- Composting - Elements Mountain Composting Service in Chaffee & Gunnison Counties with residential drop offs
- 2022 Waste Diversion Plan - specific waste reduction goals and strategies to achieve those goals
- City of Salida Sustainability Committee and Climate Action Plan - Improving the City's carbon footprint through thoughtful analysis
- Green Drinks Events – Join Meet and mingle with community groups and business leaders working to solve local environmental issues from waste to water to energy and more!
Programs
Events
- Compost & Recycling Days – Check our program calendar for special events for recycling and composting.
- Christmas Tree recycling – The City of Salida takes Christmas Trees at its public works building on HWY 50
- FIBArk Zero Waste – GARNA partners with FIBArk for a Zero Waste Event in June. Volunteers are a crucial part of the success of this program!
- Gold Rush Days – GARNA partners with BV Gold Rush Days in September for a Zero Waste Event. Volunteers are also needed for this event!
Repurposed Feed Bags
- Please drop your empty feed bags at Gone to the Dogs in Salida or BV
- Purchase the bags at LaGree’s
- Contributions to buy duct tape needed, or donate duct tape directly.
- Groups welcome to do this together as a project, contact us to learn how AND get supplies!
- Call Wendy Hall to schedule a workshop for your group. (719) 395-8306.
Latest GARNA News
Interlaken Post-Fire Recovery Volunteer Day
October 29, 2024
On October 25, GARNA helped organize a second work day in the Interlaken Fire zone. Our Blue Elements Americorp, Rose,
10th Annual Photo Contest
October 17, 2024
We’re excited to announce GARNA’s 10th annual photo contest! Through this fundraiser, GARNA celebrates extraordinary images that capture the Upper Arkansas River
