Bella Vista recycling
We were very appreciative to see your support of recycling and the Bella Vista Recycling Center in your column on May 5. On behalf of the volunteers at the Center, I'd like to add some additional information about our operations.
We have processed and sold more than 5 million pounds of recyclable products each year for the past seven years -- that's materials not going to landfills. All (that's 100 percent) net proceeds from our sales are donated to local/NWA nonprofit organizations -- more than $200,000 each year for the past seven years.
There are no recycling operations in the four-state area, and few in the entire country, that operate at this level of, for lack of a better term, "profit." We are able to accomplish this because we are staffed by volunteers.
We always need more volunteers. When you volunteer at the Center you can work as many or few hours as you wish, at your choice of times and days, pick from a variety of tasks available and select to which non-profit your volunteer hours are donated.
Currently, each volunteer is credited with $6 for each hour worked, the hours are summarized at the end of each month and then paid to the non-profit they select. For example, a volunteer working only 15 hours per month would be donating $1,080 in one year to the non-profit of their choice. Some of those organizations earn more than $10,000 annually because so many volunteers support them. Nonprofits include veterans groups, homeless or transitional homes, animal shelter, churches and many more.
What can the pubic do to help support what we do at the Center? Primarily four things:
• Volunteer some hours as noted above and earn money for your non-profit, help save the environment and work with some great people.
• Help us by properly sorting your recyclables. All bins are clearly marked and if you need help just ask any volunteer. We are open and staffed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day of the year.
• Do not bring your trash and non-recyclables to the Center. We often find numerous trash bags and Styrofoam, especially left overnight. Not only is this illegal dumping, but we must pay for trash removal. If you live in the area, your trash pickup fee is included in your monthly water bill, so why bring items to the Center and thereby reduce the funds we can give to non-profits?
• Encourage your friends and neighbors to bring their recyclable products, and maybe even volunteer some time with you as a team.
Please come by anytime for a tour or call us at 479-876-5343 to volunteer. Or contact our coordinator Lou Stirek at 479-295-5340 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Paul Poulides
Bella Vista and a recycling volunteer
Editorial on 05/13/2015