Pocatello Citywide Recycling Marks 1 Year

It’s been one year since Pocatello expanded it’s curbside recycling program citywide and those running the program said it has been a bigger hit with locals than they imagined.

“Yeah, they’ve really latched onto the recycling, it’s awesome. And I’m so proud of our community,? said Pocatello Recycling Coordinator Debbie Brady.

Since the curbside recycling program dropped the $5 fee on April 1, 2011, the Pocatello Sanitation Department said 63 percent of residents have jumped on board the blue bin bandwagon.

“This community is like a snowball effect. If there’s something good that takes place it just rolls and rolls and everybody gets on board. It really jumped above our expectations of what we thought we were getting into,? Sanitation Lead Operator Brian Wellard said.

But with lots of participation comes its fair share of mistakes.

Wellard helps check that unrecyclable items aren’t making it into the blue bins. He said that can ruin an entire load, and with springtime weather having people looking at yard work, he said people need to know what isn’t allowed.

“Leaves, branches, yard waste– that’s the biggest thing that we’re fighting. They go out and throw this kind of stuff in the recycle cart, and we can’t take it,? Wellard said.