Smartwool, Alpine Initiatives, SSRC, YVSC, and City of Steamboat collaborate on new recycling containers

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 BY ANDY

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!

In alignment with the Yampa Valley Recycles program’s mission – to facilitate and encourage waste diversion through recycling as much as possible in the Yampa Valley – YVSC staff members reached out to several groups over the past year to help develop ten permanent, weighted holders for recycle bins. Alpine Initiatives, a non-profit organization which engages the snow sports community in sustainable initiatives that connect people and planet, along with Smartwool, selected this project in a collaborated effort to foster positive environmental change in our community. This project was an effort to help with recycling in many of our local parks and recreation areas that did not previously have recycle bins.

Inspired by the waste bin at the SS High School, we sought out to reuse old skis and got dozens donated from Twin Enviro, which the creative staff at Smartwool used to construct shells for the bins. As part of Smartwool’s Annual Service Day, 30+ volunteers picked up, cleaned and prepped the recycle containers, generously donated by Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation, for the construction day on August 21,2014.

Once the containers were completed, they were re-placed throughout the community. The new bins now live at Howelsen Beach, Whistler
Park, Weiss Park, Yampa Street, and Little Toots Park. Without the cooperation and commitment from the Parks and Recreation staff and management team to service the units, this project would not have been possible.

Excellent photos from AI and SW posted here: http://www.alpineinitiatives.org/blog/2014/09/smartwool-servapalooza-pt-2