Programs and Projects

Building the 'Community Recycling Center

Summer 2009

VCRS is building a permanent recycling facility just down the street from our current interim site. When completed, the all new Community Recycling Center will function as a collection site and processing plant for recyclable items. It will be centrally located, next to the MSB Central Landfill, and operated during convenient hours in order to provide the best service to our community. Our plan is to make the new facility a "green building". Green building design and construction provides an opportunity to use our resources more efficiently and create a healthier and more energy-efficient building.

Although the main focus of the center will be the collection and processing of recyclable material, it will also serve a brokerage for recovered resources, and a clearinghouse for information. From the center, VCRS will continue to provide educational outreach for schools, residents and businesses, promote wise waste management and promote the benefits of the three R's (reduce, reuse and recycle), and continue to build community with our volunteers and sponsors.

The Community Recycling Center is the foundation for building a sustainable recycling program in our community. When the doors open we plan to handle thousands of pounds of materials a day, thereby catering to large waste producers. The center's capacity to handle large volumes of materials will allow local commercial waste-haulers to expand their services and offer curbside recycling to their clients.

In the future VCRS will enlarge the recycling program to include drop-off sites for our outlying communities. VCRS will fund the construction of the center through grants, monetary donations and in-kind contributions. Once constructed and operating at full capacity the center will be self-sustaining through service contracts, the sale of recyclable materials, processed and re-made items, and educational materials.