Diverting waste from the landfill through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, has proven economic and environmental benefits for communities including Teton Valley.

With a sustainable recycling program, our waste diversion rate has increased from less than 13 percent in 2011 to 28 percent in 2015.

In this chart you will find a breakdown of the diverted waste along with savings, revenues and cost associated to the different materials for 2015. Ultimately the diversion of these materials totaled a little more than $205,000 in tax dollars saved throughout fiscal year of 2016. These savings and cost do not reflect administrative or processing cost onsite by county personnel.

According to Solid Waste Manager Saul Valera, the recycling markets for fiscal year 2016 were barely existent. The commodity prices were very low and finding end destinations for recycling products was challenging. The Transfer Station accrued materials as long as possible in hopes of eventually obtaining better prices for recycled products. Fiscal year 2017 is showing some promising signs.

Teton County Solid Waste sent out a load of 29.5 tons of loose mixed paper at a revenue of $80 per ton. Mixed paper is one of the materials that at one time, had no end destination. The Transfer Station is planning on sending out an additional load of loose mixed paper with approximately 20 tons for the same revenue of $80 per ton by the end of 2016. This is the highest price Teton County has been offered for mixed paper. The average price offered for paper in the past would fluctuate from $35 per ton to $45 per ton.

Teton Valley Community Recycling was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Teton Spring Foundation in November 2016 to purchase a tire rim remover for the Transfer Station, a capital need as identified by the Teton County Solid Waste Department and as outlined as a recycling mandate according to the Waste Diversion Plan for Teton County.

A tire rim remover will remove the metal rims of discarded tires at the Transfer Station so that the metal may be recycled.

In 2015, Teton County diverted 342.87 tons of metal out the waste stream at a cost savings to Teton County taxpayers of $26,058.12 and an earned revenue of $27,355.60. A tire rim remover would continue to increase the waste diversion rate while increasing revenue and decreasing costs to Teton County taxpayers by recycling the metal rims. This is one way TVCR is working with county to save tax payers money and increase the diversion rate.

Teton Valley Community Recycling is currently working in conjunction with Teton County Solid Waste and RAD Curbside to create a policy that will encourage contractors to sort their Construction and Demolition waste. This effort aligns with the Waste Diversion Plan. Construction and Demolition is the one area where needs could be addressed sooner rather than later. We’ll keep you up to date on this progress.

Teton Valley Community Recycling completed a Waste Diversion Plan in 2014: Waste to Resources: Waste Diversion Alternatives for Teton County, Idaho that provides a summary of research, best practices, and innovative ideas that can lead Teton County towards the goal of increasing waste diversion in order to meet and surpass the national average of 35 percent by 2020.

Find the plan here: Waste+to+Resources_Waste+Diversion+Alternatives+for+Teton+Valley-final 2

A evaluation of a regional waste diversion strategy was also completed by the Western Greater Yellowstone Consortium, which includes Fremont County, Madison County, and Teton County in Idaho and Teton County, Wyoming. The goal of this study was to identify practical and effective policy and programs that build upon existing systems. TVCR was a contributor to this study and served on a focus committee made up of representatives throughout the four county region.