Samantha Lee, your friendly scale operator at the Teton County Transfer Station, has a fantastic salvage idea for large appliances which they just implemented this November. Often working washing machines, ranges, dishwashers, and other appliances are brought for disposal at the Transfer Station. To encourage reuse of these appliances rather than putting them on the scrap metal pile, Sam identifies and places a Green Sticker on them as they pass through the weigh station. They are then put out in the front of the metal pile, with other metal salvage items that may be of use to the right person.

Salvagers can then claim these appliances, knowing that they are still fully functional. This is a win-win: working items don’t get tossed, and a family who is in need of a very cheap working appliance can score! Reuse, which lengthens the lifespan of an item, keeps things out of the waste stream and so is a better option than recycling.  In fact, there are many useful items to be found at the Transfer Station for those that show up on Friday, Salvage day at the Transfer Station. Wood items are free, so you can build a shed or a tree house from salvage. Metal items are sold at the market rate for scrap metal. To salvage, you must fill out a Salvaging Permit & pay a small $10 daily fee; salvaging is only permitted on Fridays from 9:00-2:30.

Another option to dispose of working appliances is to post them on any of the local garage sale sites on Facebook including Teton Valley Free Swap Site and Teton Valley Garage Sale. Generally speaking, if it is free, someone will come and pick up your working appliance saving you the effort of throwing it away.

Thank you, Teton County Transfer Station staff, for encouraging reuse of materials!

Links: for Salvaging Permit

for Transfer Station