Sedona Recycles News Archive

Meghan Kincheloe, Sedona Recycles
Sedona Red Rock News
February 17, 2010

Although I hope that most of you have heard of Sedona Recycles during your time in Sedona, I realize that many of you may not know who we are. Since we are a community-driven nonprofit organization, we rely on the public’s awareness to be effective. Read on for a refresher course on the history of Sedona Recycles and what we can do for you.

How it all began

Kate Blevins, Rayna Griffin, and Sandy Moriarty – three Sedona women who wanted to make a difference – founded Sedona Recycles in 1989. What began as the city’s chosen entry in a state-wide community development contest soon grew to become a nonprofit organization highly active in the community.

Yavapai County and Waste Management donated the first collection bins that were placed at five locations around town. In 1989, the only materials that could be recycled locally were newspapers, aluminum cans, and glass! A team of dedicated volunteers would unload the recyclables from these bins by hand and haul them to a recycling center in Cottonwood.

By 1991, we were able to accept steel, office paper, and some plastics. Our drop-off sites moved around frequently in the early years, but our mission remained the same: to reduce waste and educate the public about recycling. After our first-place win in the 1990 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the amount of recycling we received doubled!

In 1995, we built and opened the recycling center on Shelby Dr. with the help of countless local businesses and individuals and a grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. When the facility opened, our recycling volumes tripled from one ton to three tons per day.

Without the help of volunteers and donations, Sedona Recycles never would have grown to become the successful organization we are today. We now process 15 tons of recyclables every day, and it’s all possible because of public support and the avid recyclers that visit us every day.

What we do for you

Sedona Recycles’ primary claim to fame is the forest green recycling bins scattered throughout Sedona and the Verde Valley. At all of our thirteen sites (including the recycling center on Shelby Dr.) individuals and businesses can drop off their recycling, free of charge, 24 hours a day. This commitment has been the single greatest force in increasing local recycling since our inception.

A common misconception about Sedona Recycles is that the recyclables we collect fetch so much money that we don’t need the public’s support. The truth is that the sale of recyclables only covers our staff’s wages. In order for us to offer additional free services and expand our drop-off locations – not to mention run our whole facility – we rely on public support, just like any other nonprofit. In fact, the sale of our recyclables compare to the sales at local thrift stores like Paw Prints and Twice Nice, both run by other area nonprofit organizations.

So what do we do with the donations and membership dues we receive? We use this support from the community to support the community in return.

Sedona Recycles has donated approximately 2,000 recycling bins to local schools since 1999, and given hundreds of educational presentations and tours to area schools, businesses, and service organizations. Donated funds have also enabled us to upgrade equipment and increase services over the years, including acceptance of items such as #3-#7 plastics, electronics, and batteries, and the expansion of our public drop-off sites.

We also collect packing materials such as bubble wrap, padded mailers, packing peanuts, and air-filled packing bags, as well as egg cartons. So next time you have to send something fragile, feel free to come collect some packing supplies at the recycling center. And if you have chickens, we’re the place to get your egg cartons!

In return, we ask that all those who use our services consider making a donation to support the ongoing success of Sedona Recycles. With your help we can continue to increase the items we accept and the number of recycling drop-off sites in Sedona.

Upcoming Events

Our next battery collection event will be held on Thursday, March 4, from 11-3 in front of New Frontiers. All household disposable and rechargeable batteries are accepted. There is a $1 per pound tax-deductible drop-off fee. Battery collections are held the first Thursday of every month.

The Sedona Recycles Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 11, in the Community Room at Sedona Public Library at 4pm. The Annual Meeting is an opportunity for the public to learn about all aspects of our operation and take a peek into the future. If you can’t make the meeting, you can view our annual report online at www.sedonarecycles.org beginning March 11.

The film “Garbage Dreams” will be showing on Thursday, March 11, at 6pm in the Community Room at Sedona Public Library, immediately following our Annual Meeting. “Garbage Dreams” is a documentary about three teenage boys in Cairo, Egypt who make a living by picking recyclables out of the local landfill. Sedona Recycles will be showing the film in partnership with the Sierra Club Sedona-Verde Valley Group and Democrats of the Red Rocks.

And be sure to check out our entry in the 40^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 6, at 10:30am.

Last, but not least, the Sedona Recycles Community Swap Meet Extravaganza will be held on Saturday, May 15, from 9am to 3pm at Posse Grounds Park. This will be the first of two swap meets this year, which we plan to make an annual tradition. So, as you begin your Spring cleaning this year, be sure to save up those items you no longer want. You can reserve your spot at the Swap Meet at www.sedonarecycles.org or by calling 204-1185.