Goshen Transfer Station Updates

A few quick updates to the community about the transfer station.

Yes the KMART AKA SWAP SHOP is closed for the winter.  This decision was based on the need for space to accommodate lead acid batteries and bulbs as both need to be out of the direct weather but should not be kept with used oil.  Also people were placing items that are not accepted in the swap shop such as household hazardous waste, electronics that have a fee for disposal, clothing, and expired food items.  I am a firm believer in reuse and recycle before throwing away but the next 6 months will be spent organizing the transfer station and making sure it is up to code.  I would love to have a separate building for the swap shop and a clothing drop off and I am looking into both for the upcoming spring : )

We have closed off the area behind the sorting trays.  That means we can no longer take books as people are not able to go back to the shelves to browse.  This is based on the continuous issue with contamination of the plastics and paper bins.  Remember it is in the communities best interest not to have contaminated bins so please let the attendants sort and dump those recyclables for you : )  Not to say that we don't appreciate items presorted in separate bins you can just dump in the sorting trays....that is awesome sauce and super helpful : )

What can and can't be recycled is a slippery slope that is often changing.  When you drop items you think are recyclable into the sorting bins that allows us to catch those items that may not be (through no fault of your own) accepted to be recycled. It is not that we don't believe people are able to sort their recyclables its just that we have far too many instances where people are just not aware of what can and cannot be recycled we have to deal with crawling into bins to remove contaminants.  It is our job to serve you the community members so please let us deal with the final sorting as that is what we get paid to do and we are thankful for the opportunity to work for each of you.  

We have a new vendor!! Batteries and Bulbs will be taking and recycling our batteries and bulbs....hence the name batteries and bulbs lol.  the best part is the company sends someone to the transfer station with the appropriate packaging to safely box and transfer some items that are hazardous.  Win win in my book : ) get the hazardous material out of the waste stream and have it done up to code : )

I am looking into expanding our composting next sprung to include kitchen waste.  This will save out community members money on trash fees as less stuff in the trash bags means fewer bags you have to pay for!!!