Opinion
Editorial: Recycling to stay, for now
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/megan-paulson-46x46.jpg)
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/megan-paulson-46x46.jpg)
Published
9 years agoon
By Joseph T. O’Connor EBS Managing Editor
Big Sky residents saw a catastrophe come and go. The recycling center almost left Town Center. Then it didn’t. Bins were scheduled for removal on Oct. 1, but a recent meeting extended recycling’s life on Aspen Leaf Drive.
Talks are in place among a team of community partners including Town Center representatives, Gallatin Solid Waste Management District Manager Jim Simon, the Big Sky Community Corp., and one unlikely player.
Bozeman Health, the entity building the Big Sky Medical Center on Lone Mountain Trail, plans on temporarily hosting the recycling site until a more comprehensive, long-term site is established, according to Tracy Reamy, hospital administrator for the Big Sky Medical Center.
“There’s no firm timeline, but we’re working with Town Center to keep recycling where it is,” Reamy said on Sept. 30. “We will be taking [recycling] at Big Sky Medical Center; it’s just a matter of time.”
The Big Sky Water and Sewer District is actively looking to acquire land adjacent to the BSWSD property, and could decide whether this site could house a permanent recycling center.
At this point, it’s unclear when recycling will find a permanent home, but community stakeholders are hopeful the issue will be resolved. In the meantime, residents and visitors must be conscious of where they dispose of recycling and garbage.
“Big Sky is the dirtiest of all the sites [we service] in Gallatin County,” said David Leverett, owner of Four Corners and Full Circle Recycling in Bozeman, the company that currently services the Big Sky recycling center.
This is due to the inability of some individuals in the community to dispose of garbage appropriately. Glass is not currently a recycled commodity in Big Sky. Don’t leave old furniture at the site; in fact, don’t leave any trash. The recycling center is not a dumpster.
Which brings us to another point: Poaching commercial dumpsters in Big Sky (or anywhere) is illegal. It can also be dangerous, says Jason Veitch, division manager at Republic Services, which picks up garbage cans once a week in Big Sky.
“Our fear is from an environmental aesthetic standpoint,” Veitch said. “[People] put this material that’s over and above what can fit in a trashcan, and they put it beside the trashcan. Conflict with bears has greatly increased.”
One additional option Big Sky residents have is curbside recycling, a convenience Republic Services could implement. For curbside recycling to be a viable option, however, at least 200 requests must be made, according to Veitch.
The company has received approximately 50 requests, Veitch said, adding that he encourages anyone interested in the service to call Republic Services at (406) 586-0606.
Republic Services estimates that, at 200 households, the cost for a 96-gallon bear-proof container would be $29 per month. “If we are in a position to be of assistance and add value on a provider service, we’ll explore it,” Veitch said.
Where the recycling center ends up in Big Sky is anyone’s guess. In the meantime, dispose of garbage and recycling in an appropriate manner. It’s a matter of public responsibility to our environment.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
Upcoming Events
july, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 - July 31Calling all artists and nature enthusiasts! Get
more
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28
EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 – July 31
Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get your paintbrushes ready for an unforgettable experience at
Paint Under the Big Sky, a thrilling plein air event set against the stunning
backdrop of Big Sky, MT, Chet Huntley’s “The Last Best Place”. Don’t
miss this chance to unleash your creativity and be part of a vibrant artistic community.
What is Paint Under the Big Sky? PUBS is a plein air event for all painters of any ability (over the age of 16). Sponsored by the Big Sky Artist’s Studio & Gallery and the Big Sky Artists Collective, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community of artists in the Big Sky area, the paint-out hopes to introduce painters to our extraordinary landscape for an opportunity to create, meet and have fun. Plein air painters record our landscape for generations to come.
Artists are invited to travel to Big
Sky, MT to paint anytime between Jun 1 – 28, and participate in the exhibition
and sale of paintings from June 29 – July 31.
Come join us! We have a great
place to paint and are welcoming and fun!
Don’t miss out!
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 1:00 am - July 31 (Wednesday) 11:55 pm
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary. Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Location
Montage Big Sky
995 Settlement Trail
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm