Broadus Recycling Center: Helping To Reduce Waste Since 1991

The Broadus Recycling Center has undergone some changes over the past several months, the most obvious of which is observed by a move from the city's white building, which has housed the center since it opened in December of 1991. The new location of the center is just next door, in the old tin fairbarn next to the park.

The move comes about as a way to expand the facility, which had been cramped in the smaller building, according to Tracy Vail, Recycling Center Manager. The new facility allows more space for recyclables, as well as quick access to the crusher. The bales of crushed recyclables are then stored along with crushed cardboard bales from the IGA, and are held until recyclable prices and/or fuel prices are at a level where the county (which took over the recycling program within the past few years) makes a bit more profit to send the bales to the recycling facilities in Billings.

Here's a list of what may currently be recycled in Broadus:

Newspapers or magazines

White office paper

* #1 screw-on plastics with a dimple in the bottom (marked by a number on the bottom of the jug)

* Milk jugs

* #2 colored plastics, must have seam on bottom.

* Lids should be removed

Tin cans (rinsed)

Aluminum cans (some specific brands such as Friskies cannot be recycled, according to info from the former recycling board)

Egg cartons

Cardboard may be dropped off at the IGA

Books may be dropped off at the Senior Center or Henry A Malley Library (books should be in good condition)

Household batteries and used ink cartridges may be dropped off the Powder River MSU Extension office, in the courthouse.

Glass and Styrofoam are not recyclable in Broadus and should not be dropped off at the center, nor should exchange items, such as clothes, electronics, or furniture – those items are best donated to St. V's or listed for giveaway or sale (we will list giveaway items in our classifieds for one week for free).

When delving into the "why" behind the recycling center, we learned that the biggest factor gained from recycling locally isn't in the money made when bales are sold at recycling facilities, but instead from the reduction in bulk going into our landfill.

A 2021 survey completed by Wilhelm Land Surveying on the Powder River County Landfill indicated that over a 15 year span ending in 2020, the county averaged 3,338 cubic yards of volume dumped into the landfill per year (around half of this amount is dirt used to cover the garbage).

Data gathered from the county indicated that in 2022, around 48 cubic yards of recyclables were sent to market, and thus with the current rate of recycling the county is saving around 3% of the mass from the landfill in terms of actual space savings (though that total is in actuality larger, as the compacted recyclables are less voluminous than if they were dumped outright in the landfill).

The survey also indicated a lifespan of between 10 and 13 years for the remaining "cell" at the landfill, which would translate to around 7 to 10 years from today. In speaking with the county commissioners, they indicated that an additional cell would cost the county "several million dollars" to put into action.

In order to prolong the lifespan of the landfill, recycling has cut down on the mass entering the landfill, and allowed more space for other garbage.

On Monday of this week, the county commissioners discussed additional changes to the Recycling Center, such as hiring additional help to sort and compact the recyclables, and considering an idea to open the center on specific hours of the week, similar to how the dump is open twice a week. After hours drop-off would also be available if the current plan under consideration materializes as envisioned.

When entering the center, one finds the appropriate bin and dumps their specific recyclables, minding that they dispose of plastic bags and plastic lids in dumpsters located outside. The center is open 24/7.

The commissioners emphasized that they are always looking for volunteer individuals or groups to help at the recycling center – volunteer hours look good on college transcripts, and groups are able to use the sale of cans as funding for their groups.

Additionally, anyone with questions, comments, or ideas about recycling are welcome to contact the commissioners and voice their opinions.

Tracy Vail emphasized another point – that of reusing older goods, whether repurposing, giving away, or selling to those who may be in need, utilizing the second tenet of the "reduce, reuse, recycle" mantra. For example, a large portion of the landfill mass is construction waste. Repurposing building supplies such as lumber causes a percentage of that landfill mass to be reduced. By combining our forces to reduce, reuse, and recycle, we're saving ourselves money as a community by prolonging the life of the landfill.