DEQ: Montana Recycling Rates Higher Than Ever

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sandra Boggs DEQ Recycling and Market Development Specialist
406-841-5217
sboggs@mt.gov

Helena -- Recycling can be challenging in Montana, but the determination of citizens across the state is paying off with record breaking recycling rates. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently released figures from 2006 which show that state's recycling rate is now over 18%. While this may still seem low, the 2006 figures are actually ahead of the state goals for 2008.

Richard Opper, Director of the DEQ, said, "Montanan's support recycling. According to a recent survey on the recommendations from the Governor's Climate Change Advisory Committee recycling is one of the most popular ideas for reducing climate impacts. People understand that there is a direct connection between recycling and reducing energy use."

Recently, the Montana DEQ has put more resources towards recycling and is doing more work with private businesses, schools, nonprofits, and even within state government itself, to increase recycling. These resources have paid off with a 2% increase in the state recycling rate, community electronics recycling events, pesticide plastic recycling collections, mercury thermostat and thermometer collections, and more market development work.

Dusti Johnson, one of DEQ's Recycling and Market Development Specialists, said, "Local markets are key to recycling in Montana because we are far away from industrial centers that use recyclables such as plastic, aluminum, steel, and glass. The market prices for aluminum and steel are usually high enough that it's cost-effective to collect and transport those recyclables to out-of-state markets. Plastic and glass don't have those high prices so recyclers are often reluctant to include those items in their programs."

Johnson has been busy the past two years exploring markets for pulverized glass so that local communities can recycle glass without having to pay $1,200 or more per truckload to ship it out of state. She has developed several markets for the glass cullet and sand created by the mobile glass pulverizer owned and operated by Headwaters Cooperative Recycling (HCR). The DEQ and HCR recently finished a "Community Glass Recycling" guidance document to help communities start glass recycling programs and use the mobile pulverizer.

Sandra Boggs, another DEQ Recycling and Market Development Specialist, manages the electronics recycling program, and is also responsible for "greening" state government. Boggs said, "The legislature recognized the barriers to recycling in Montana and has taken steps to help. There are tax incentives for businesses and a law which directs state agencies to purchase goods with recycled-content. This law uses the state's purchasing power as a driving force in developing markets for recyclables."

Brian Spangler, manager of the DEQ's Business and Community Assistance Program, said "This is an exciting time for recycling in Montana. More and more communities are starting to offer curbside recycling programs either themselves or through private companies. The DEQ is also helping a new statewide nonprofit launch that will assist with outreach and education efforts." The new nonprofit, Recycle Montana, is still developing outreach and membership material, but more information is available  by visiting www.recyclemontana.org or calling 406-461-9106.

To find out about community collection events, what and where to recycle, and other information at the DEQ website: www.deq.mt.gov.