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Every city handles their garbage in different ways. Often this will mean that residents are charged a type of municipal tax on their power bill that covers the cost of a weekly trash pickup. A city that has adopted a recycling program actually uses the proceeds from that program to pay for the pickup services. It’s the perfect example of recycle, repurpose and reuse. In Colorado Springs there is no such thing as municipal garbage removal. The responsibility of this falls to the homeowners or landlords to arrange for a private company to pick up the trash and make sure it is properly disposed of. This might be one of the reasons what Colorado has one of the lowest recycling rate in the country. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.If you already have a trash pickup company who is taking away your garbage the question then becomes are you happy with their services? Is the company dependable? Do you feel like you’re getting a decent service in return for the fees you’re paying? As with any other kind of service that you’re paying for there is nothing wrong with shopping around to get the best deal. One of the things you should ask your trash pickup company is just where are they taking your trash?
The “dirty little secret” of any community is that it’s going to generate tons of garbage everyday and that garbage needs to go somewhere. Most often this will mean a landfill somewhere on the outskirts of town. For anyone who is unfortunate enough to live downwind of a landfill, you know what a potentially vile experience that can be. The purpose of a landfill is to merely dump garbage in a hole and wait for it to decompose and melt. Actually that process takes hundreds of years. Until then all kinds of chemical compounds from that melting garbage is released into the air and leeched into the ground. Not a pretty picture is it? This is why recycling and safe dumping is so important, especially in Colorado.
Safe dumping means using a landfill that has been constructed using modern technology. The pit for the garbage should be lined with a protective covering that can prevent seepage. When the landfill has met maximum capacity, it can be covered over and effectively sealed off. This approach has the least impact on our environment. Are you sure your trash is being handle this way?
As for recycling, there are also many facilities around Colorado who can break down recyclable materials and reuse them. Junk King Colorado Springs is one trash pickup company who specializes in making sure your waste ends up in the right place. Sure, it might take a little effort on your part to do the research, but once you’ve set this up you can feel proud that you’re doing your part to keep Colorado Springs clean and environmentally safe. And that’s a great lesson to teach the kids!
Did you know that if you live in Colorado you could actually win an award for recycling? The Colorado Association of Recycling offers up an annual award that “recognizes governmental entities, individuals, companies, media and organizations for their excellence in recycling or promotion of recycling.” They have encouraged citizens to make nominations on behalf of exceptional recyclers in several categories including Outstanding Media Coverage, Outstanding Elected Official, Outstanding Outreach – Educational Institution, Outstanding Outreach –Municipality (City, County, or State), Outstanding Business Recycling/Diversion Program, Outstanding Government Recycling/Diversion Program, Outstanding Volunteer Of the Year and Recycler of the Year. There is even a Lifetime Achievement award presented by the organization to that individual or business which has dedicated themselves to the recycling way of life.