The St. George City Council heard two proposals to establish some sort of recycling program at their work meeting on August 9. Two companies that are already in the recycling business in the area gave their estimates of how much they would charge people to pick up materials suitable for recycyling.

If you’re new to the concept, let me make this quite clear. People will be allowed to go to extra effort to provide selected recycled trash in a special container for pickup and they will also be allowed to pay a fee for the priviledge.

One alternative you have today is to make a deal like that with one of the companies that presented a proposal. That company doesn’t get any public support and they charge $20 a month. But they’re the only alternative that lets you recycle all plastics, steel cans, and glass bottles.

Another alternative is to drive your own recyclables to the center. From 1000 East, turn right on Industrial Road, then left on Red Rock Road, then left again up the narrow side street on East 770 North and then right again on what looks like the back yard of a construction company but is actually North 1080 East to a turnout that has a few wired together bins with hand lettered signs just big enough for your car. It looks like it has a thousand and one different ways to give you a flat tire.

Somehow, I think I can understand why people might not be waiting in line to recycle in Color Country.

I had an opportunity not too long ago to see the alternative in Boulder, Colorado. (Known fondly by those who know it best as, “The Peoples Republic of Boulder”.) I was doing some consulting work for a high-tech firm in Boulder and I shared a ride to the office with the founder of the firm. His wife had given him the recyclables to drop off on the way.

I have to tell you that I was impressed! The “bins” were dumpsters parked next to sturdy wooden platforms. Everything was clearly labeled and clean. The access was convenient and well planned.

I wonder if there is a relationship between Boulder’s very high tech and professional culture and the ability to put together a recycling center that actually works? What do you think?