Aluminum Recycling Promotion

Water / Waste / Food
Written By Isabella Clark

*Offer support or suggestions / Ofrecer apoyo o sugerencias

**Donate or volunteer / Donar o ser voluntario

The Aluminum Recycling Promotion Project would both promote the use of aluminum over glass and plastic and encourage the recycling of that aluminum locally. Aluminum generates a better financial return to our recycling center than glass or plastic, allowing for more money to be spent by Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling (ISWR) on other green initiatives. Recycling containers that are already in place for individual aluminum recycling will be promoted and could be extended to businesses and the school district. The project will also include investigation of suitable aluminum substitutes for businesses, promoting the use of those substitutes and their post-use recycling. The project will also encourage general aluminum metal (and all metals) recycling opportunities offered at the Trash Transfer Station, including the RecycleCoach app offered on phones that explains what can be recycled locally.

Status

  • Needs a Lead

  • Needs Funding

  • Needs Supporters

While the tasks and potential impacts of this project are well defined, it is in need of human and financial resources to make it happen. The project is largely an outreach campaign.

Expected Impacts: Recycling decreases the amount of material buried in the landfill and also offers an opportunity to create revenues for the ISWR Recycling Center which supports their continued operations. A shift to aluminum will reduce the amount of plastic and glass in the waste stream and allow for the funds currently spent on plastic and gas recycling to be repurposed to pursue other initiatives on the Road to Zero waste.

Synergy with other priorities: This program also implements the community’s Road to Zero Waste plan to divert 40% of community waste from landfills.

Potential Partners: 

  • Integrated Solid Waste & Recycling (ISWR) Board

  • RRR Business Leaders

  • Teton County School District #1

  • Retailers (especially groceries)

  • Bars/Restaurants

  • Breweries

Potential Funders: 

  • Partners

  • Teton County

  • Town of Jackson

  • Philanthropy

Isabella Clark
Previous

Community E-Bike Pool Purchase