Following a series of articles, ads, and radio shows, the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council (SLVEC) is wrapping up its campaign with a road map of the Valley’s recycling activities and fact-filled brochure which it hopes will become a major source of information and messaging tool for creating better recycling access and opportunities. 

Download the full, hi resolution PDF file of the map graphic HERE4.30 MB

View web sized version:

Have you seen......?

Plastic Pollution is Inundating Our Ocean

China Rejects North American Recyclables

Developing a San Luis Valley Regional Waste Diversion Plan

2016-2017 Project 

12-2-16

Good news! SLVEC has received an RREO grant to develop a Regional Solid Waste Management and Recycling Plan for the SLV. This is to compliment a grant received by Conejos Clean Water (CCW), which is a two year grant for developing a similar plan.

Solid Waste Management is morphing from illegal dumping emphasis to developing a possible hub and spoke network for solid waste and recycling to reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill.

Removing recyclables and compost will reduce the amount of emissions that cause Greenhouse Gasses (GHG), which contribute to climate change, as well as satisfy the requirements set forth by the CDPHE regarding solid waste and recycling on the State level.

1-25-17

The first step to beginning the SLV Regional Waste Diversion Plan is to assemble a Task Force of solid waste experts, who will held undertake baseline studies to determine what services and infrastructure are already in place to deal with waste diversion, and a gap analysis to see what is still needed to improve the situation.

The Task Force will also oversee a waste audit to determine how many recyclables are being thrown away instead of being recycled. This will require us getting our hands dirty! Several volunteers, over the course of two days, will sort through several loads of municipal solid waste at the landfill and catagorize the trash items we find. In the end, they will be weighed and we will discover the percentages of recyclables and food waste in the current waste stream.

With the help of our project consultant and waste management expert, Laurie Batchelder Adams, we will then extrapolate this number towards the future and compare it to changes we can make that will help divert the recyclables and food waste. In the end we  hope to come up with three major options to pursue for change to the current system.

SLVEC is currently pursuing a second grant, from the USDA, Solid Waste Management 3, which will allow the Ecosystem Council to assist waste management entities (landfills, trash haulers) with writing grants for funding to implement the projects set forth by the SLV Regional Waste Diversion Plan.

Currently, SLVEC and CCW is assembling this Waste Diversion Task Force, and hope to have our first meeting in March. Throughout the process, stakeholders and the public are encouraged to keep informed through regular meetings. Stay tuned.

See here for our list of Task Force members and staff.

For Task Force info, please go to: Task Force News

7-12-17

The Waste Diversion Project (as it has been coined) is proceeding as planned, and the Task Force as well as staff have completed the Baseline Data and well as the Waste Audit (see photos below). The Baseline Data showed that the current rate of recycling in the Valley is 18%, and the Waste Audit showed that 65% of landfilled waste could have been recycled or composted!

Next, we held three stakeholder meetings on Tuesday, June 27th and Thursday, June 28th, 2017 in San Luis, Alamosa, and Del Norte respectively. Here we quaried solid waste professionals and interested public citizens about the problems and possible solutions, or improvements. These were well attended, with about 50 participants throughout the Valley. 

Staff and our consultant are working currently on our Gap Analysis - using the Baseline Data and Waste Audit Data to extrapolate where we are vs. where we want to be in ten years with our waste diversion goals - these improvements will be ranked, and the top three chosen to be part of the Plan. 

Volunteers sort trash into 28 different bins                                               Weights are recorded on a digital spreadsheet

11/10/17

The final report is in! We finished the Gap Analysis and identified the top three "bang for the buck" improvements: education of North Conejos School District and public officials on recycling and waste diversion, locating and running up to 10 possible trash and recycling drop sites, and enhancements to the Rickey Recycling Center in order to receive recyclables from the drop sites. 

We held three Waste Diversion Stakeholder meetings this last week to present the summary of the results. They were held in Crestone, La Jara, and Alamosa. Thank you everyone who was involved with creating this report! Our Task Force was essential, as were Stakeholders and others. Thanks also to the SLVEC and CCW team, and our consultant Laurie Batchelder Adams. 

See the final report here.

See the slideshow for November Stakeholder Meetings here.

Past Projects:

2014-2015 Solid Waste Management Phase 1

2015-2016 Solid Waste Management Phase 2

Where can I recycle my stuff?

 For more information, contact:

Kristina "Kay" Crowder | Project Coordinator, 719.588.5127, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or SLVEC office (719) 589-1518.

-------------

November 10, 2017

Hello Task Force Member!

Thank you to all who attended a Stakeholder and/or Task Force meeting this week!

Laurie presented her final report, including recommendations on the 3 top priorities based on the previous reports.

Find the Stakeholder presentation here.

Find the final report here.

Right now we are waiting on funding to continue to Phase 1 of the project. Task Force meetings may continue in 2018. Please stay posted and watch for emails!

For more information, please contact Kay at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (719) 588-5127.

Alamosa Recycling Center:

Batteries - WSB Computer Services, Colorado Recycles in Monte Vista, SLV Regional Landfill

Big items - Still usable furniture, mattresses, call your local thrift store (such as Rainbow's End), most will pick up! Also see Waste Free SLV info below. 

Check out this website about recycling/disposing of mattresses: 

https://www.tuck.com/mattress-disposal/

Big items - Non re-usable furniture, mattresses - Call your local waste hauler. Alamosa has two big item pickups a year. Waste Management will pick up if called.

Cell Phones - SLV Regional Landfill, Walmart in Alamosa, also check with your local service provider 

Electronics - WSB Computer Services in Alamosa (fee) - 21 Craft Drive. www.wsbcs.net. (719) 589-8940. See their flyer here.

Lightbulbs - SLV Regional Landfill

Metals - Colorado Recycling in Monte Vista, or Star Steel in Estrella

Motor Oil (DIY) - SLV Regional Landfill

Paint - Monte Vista Coop, Habitat for Humanity Store in Alamosa

Pill Bottles (#2, white) - Walmart pharmacy

Plastic Baling Twine/Hay Strings - Big R in Alamosa, Monte Vista Coop in Monte Vista, SLV Region Landfill

Plastic Shopping Bags or Plastic Film (clean) - Walmart, Safeway, City Market in Alamosa; check your local grocery store.

Tires - Ace in Your Pocket (fee) in  Alamosa.

Local Recycler information:

Alamosa Recycling Center (Drop off center: City of Alamosa)

1130 Old Airport Rd., Alamosa

Keith Price, Recycling Coordinator (719) 937-8358

Pat Steenburg, Public Works Director, (719) 589-6631

Colorado Recycling (Drop off and pick up)

1567 U.S. Hwy 160 E, Monte Vista, CO 81144

(719) 852-6131

Louis Gallegos

Britney Gallegos, (719) 580-0507 (cell)

Recycles: All metals, batteries, vehicles, telecommunications wires

Ship to Capital Scrap Metals in Santa Fe

Muley’s MDS Trash Service (Curbside pickup: Mineral & Rio Grande Counties)

P.O. Box 368, Creede, CO 81130

(719) 658-3060

John & Melissa Graham

http://www.mdswasteandrecycle.com/

San Luis Valley Regional Landfill (Drop off). See their flyer here.

P.O. Box 861

1600 CR 44

Monte Vista, CO 81144

(719) 852-3810

Landfill Manager: Jim Clare

Star Steel & Supply (Drop off and pick up)

(719) 589-5385

All metals: ferrous & non-ferrous (nonmagnetic). Will pay $60/ton for steel and scrap metal.

Waste free SLV (Fee. Drop off at Saguache Landfill; Pick up available in Crestone, Baca, Saguache, South Fork, Del Norte)

P.O. Box 886, South Fork, CO 81154

(719) 588-2703 (Bill Burch)

(719) 588-2447 (Tina Miani)

Cardboard, metals, glass, couches, mattresses, plastics #1 #2, fibers, bubble wrap, shrink wrap, chickboard, paper milk cartons.

WSB eRecyclers (Drop off, fee). 

21 Craft Drive, Alamosa

(719) 589-8940

Jenine Manesiotis (VP)

Electronics, batteries. See flyer here.

Adams State University Facilities (Drop off for ASU Students & Staff)

Rodney Martinez

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.adams.edu/sustainability (EARTH website)

Recycling goes to Alamosa Recycling Center

Ace in Your Pocket (Drop off - fee)

Stacy Peters

(719) 587-0191

Tires

Habitat For Humanity 

Aluminum cans (Drop off sites throughout Alamosa),

Re-usable items - see Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Great Sand Dunes National Park (Drop off bins in amphitheater, campgrounds)

#1-7 plastic, aluminum cans, glass, steel cans, propane bottles

Picked up by Upper Arkansas Valley Recyclers in Salida

Recycle 20,000 lbs/yr 

******

For more information, please call or email Kristina at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or (719) 588-5127.

Illegal dumping and improper disposal of solid waste has been a commonly recognized problem in the San Luis Valley.

but the residents of Conejos and Costilla counties are getting more support to encourage the use of existing waste services and look towards increasing waste transfer options from two of the Valley’s leading environmental non-profits. The San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council (SLVEC) and Conejos County Clean Water (CCCW), noted for their work on environmental health issues, are partnering with grants from the USDA Rural Utility Service and Environmental Protection Agency. One of many goals is to combine the clean-up efforts with programs to educate the public on the benefits of good waste disposal practices, and the dangers to water, wildlife, and humans of leaving the trash eyesores unattended.

Community and Youth Groups Clean-Up Illegal Dump Site Next to the Culebra Ditch in Costilla County (7-28-2015)

The Clean-up Team Strikes a Pose

On Thursday, July 23, members of the Move Mountains Youth Group, San Luis Youth Conservation Camp, Costilla County personnel, commercial trash operators, local citizen volunteers, and others providing logistical support joined forces to clean up the “mountains” of illegal waste accumulated over decades of neglect along Culebra Creek near San Acacio Viejo west of San Luis.

Demonstrating a cleanup of unprecedented scale involving over 50 persons and coordinated by the Conejos Clean Water (CCW) and San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council (SLVEC) nonprofits, the combination of Centennial School students and county/private sector leadership succeeded in filling up three 30-yard roll-offs donated by GT Services and Silver Mountain Disposal.

In high spirits and eager to tackle these veritable mountains of trash, Move Mountain students were equipped
with bright orange gift bags filled with water bottles, T-shirts, and other items supplied by the county, and snacks, gloves, and trash bags donated by the Town of San Luis. First-aid supplies and a cooler with sodas and gator-aid were also on hand at a make-shift command center shaded by a few canopies.

As the crowd of participants and caravan of cars, buses, and trucks gathered, project coordinator for the nonprofit team Michael Armenta outlined the various roles and procedures for the day. Key staff, officials, and event organizers working alongside students at the cleanup included Costilla County commissioners Joe Gallegos and Dolores Burns; Ben Doon, county administrator; Vivian Gallegos, county Public Health Director; Shirley Romero of Move Mountains; Andrea Guajardo of CCW; and SLVEC’s director Christine Canaly and project developer John Stump.

Federal sources giving rise to the event included a USDA Solid Waste Management Rural Utility Service Grant to
the SLV Ecosystem Council (an Equal Opportunity Provider); and a Community Problem Solving Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to Conejos Clean Water.

The negative visual impact from so much trash is only part of the problem, and the threat of toxic chemicals leaching into the creek waters from storm and snowmelt runoff poses an even greater impact to wildlife, fish, and human health. This includes dioxins from burn barrels, and cadmium contamination from the metals in computers, TVs, batteries, and other electronics.

Standing next to the willow-lined, sage-scented creek channel, Move Mountains inspirational group leader Shirley Romero relayed her water concerns to students --- “Water is life, and clean water is what we all depend on for drinking, cooking, washing, and farming. People need to be aware that we are being forced to clean up someone else’s mess, and we will not tolerate contamination of our water from illegal waste dumping.” Judging by the expressions of disgust as theydelved through the debris, these children were taking this message to heart.

Cleanup strategies required the Move Mountains and Youth Conservation groups to work separate portions of the mile-long waste corridor, with backhoe operators Steve Cordova of Silver Mountain and Leroy Medina, Costilla County’s Road & Bridge supervisor, clearing the way with scoopfuls of trash loaded into roll-offs. This was followed by the army of students and volunteers who concentrated their efforts from one trash pile to another, and meticulously gathered the rest by hand.

Despite the intense heat, students and adults worked hard beginning at 10:00 am and worked until 2:00 pm. A lunch break with sandwiches and watermelon donated by the Sangre de Cristo Knights of Columbus and served by the Maldonado’s, refreshed the crews for the afternoon drive until all three roll-offs were filled up.

The teamwork and organization displayed at the Culebra Creek cleanup produced a staggering 90 cubic yards of waste material of all imaginable types and form including discarded household goods, plastic and glass containers, sheet glass, wood and yard waste, metal objects, rugs, toys, wire, and even some disintegrating couches and mattresses. With the exception of tires loaded into separate trucks and some illegally dumped appliances and electronics, all of this was hauled off to the Valley’s regional landfill in Rio Grande County.

Organizers estimate that about 80% of the waste at the Culebra site running between county roads 15 and 16 was removed, which leaves the remaining cleanup work seem less formidable. Due to deterioration over many years, no value was left for any recyclable materials in the waste mix, but recycling from the on-going waste stream remains as a goal for the county. It should also be noted that Costilla County has been assisting with several cleanups at other sites, including the one recently accomplished at the El Rito cemetery.

Engineering analysis and studied observation at the Culebra site and others indicates a relatively small number of persons are actually creating the illegal dumping problem, which may save them the cost of a $20/month trash collection fee or periodic hauls to transfer stations and landfill, but is costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars to clean up.   Residents are encouraged to report illegal dumping to the county at 719.937.7668 ext 4.

The Culebra Ditch adjacent to the illegal dump site, now cleaned-up, will have fewer contaminants now.

SOLID WASTE MANGEMENT OPTIONS PRESENTED to COSTILLA and CONEJOS COUNTY

JOINT EFFORT with SAN LUIS VALLEY ECOSYSTEM COUNCIL, CONEJOS COUNTY CLEAN WATER, and U.S DEPARTMENT of AGRICULTURE RURAL UTILITY SERVICE and the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ( 3-31-2015)   

Illegal dumping and improper disposal of solid waste has been a commonly recognized problem in the San Luis Valley, but the residents of Conejos and Costilla counties are getting more support to encourage the use of existing waste services and look towards increasing waste transfer options from two of the Valley’s leading environmental non-profits. The San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council (SLVEC) and Conejos County Clean Water (CCCW), noted for their work on environmental health issues, are partnering with grants from the USDA Rural Utility Service and Environmental Protection Agency. One of many goals is to combine the clean up efforts with programs to educate the public on the benefits of good waste disposal practices, and the dangers to water, wildlife, and humans of leaving the trash eyesores unattended.

The team funded by the two agencies—which includes a coordinator, consulting engineer, and support staff—has already made progress by mapping and photographing illegal dump sites in both counties and identifying the quantities and contents of the materials scattered indiscriminately over the landscape. Many sites are near aquifers in danger of leaching into streams and groundwater sources. Dump components range from biodegradable yard waste and household trash, to highly toxic electronics such as TVs and computer monitors.

Plans are also underway to identify items that could be recycled and never discarded in the first place, such as electronics, cardboard, glass, metal containers, and a range of plastics and paper material. Special attention is needed to handle larger items such as sofas. More on this will be covered in future articles.

“Some illegal dumpsites are costing taxpayers about $20,000 a year to clean up,” asserts Michael Armenta, CCCW project coordinator, who grew up in Manassa and holds a master’s degree from the University of Denver. “By focusing on larger coordination efforts, many of these items could be recycled and reused to provide further opportunities for small business.”

Armenta also praised the responses by the counties and local governments, land use and code enforcement personnel, small business leaders, the Bureau of Land Management, and other community stakeholders who are supporting efforts by loaning equipment and labor, holding town meetings, or helping out in other ways. The Regional Landfill administration and commercial waste-haulers have also provided letters of support for the project along with other assistance.

Schools are also responding to the project with high enthusiasm, which fits within their science curriculums and opportunity for students to learn about the ongoing waste stream and responsible citizen behavior. Conejos County Schools are planning light clean ups in conjunction with Earth Day celebrations in early summer, and the project will also be conducting an extensive clean up demonstration in Costilla county in early fall.

Added to the demands for clean up are various private property owners who have been victimized by the task of having to clean up illegal dumping on their own property by others whose behavior normalizes criminal acts. Armenta is working with the Attorney General’s office and law enforcement officers to encourage more enforcement of dumping regulations, and requested that information on illegal dumping activities be reported to local authorities and the project team.

“We all want a solution,” Armenta said. “County officials want this problem solved, and taxpayers don’t want to continue paying for those who insist on dumping their trash illegally.”

He added that the SLVEC and CCCW will continue to update the public about the project progress and upcoming events through meetings and forums for discussion and problem solving. Volunteer opportunities in the clean up and education process include participating in stakeholder meetings, receiving e-mail alerts and donating time.

This article is from Ecowatch, for the full version, see https://www.ecowatch.com/plastic-pollution-2464595364.html

Humans Have Created 9 Billion Tons of Plastic in the last 67 Years

From our friends at SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America):

DATE:                    July 20, 2017

SUBJECT:             China Announces Intent to Ban Certain Waste Imports

The Chinese government notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) on July 18 of its intent to restrict the import of 24 types of solid waste by the end of 2017. In the filing, the Chinese government states the need for these restrictions due to “large amounts of dirty wastes or even hazardous wastes” being mixed into imported materials.

SWANA has been in contact with officials at the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and industry experts in the field, to understand the scope and implications of this WTO filing.

It is important to note that these restrictions are meant to address the problem of “solid wastes that are highly polluted.” The need for foreign imports to support Chinese production needs, as well as the high quality of most U.S. and Canadian-based recycled materials, is likely to mean that most paper fiber will continue to be accepted from North America.

Attached is an article from Waste 360 that summarizes the ban and provides context for it within ongoing Chinese efforts to address contamination in imported wastes. SWANA CEO & Executive Director David Biderman is also quoted in the article.

SWANA will continue working with government officials and industry leaders to ensure our membership remains informed on the effects of this action. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 240-494-2237. We ask you to please share this and futures updates with Chapter and Technical Division members as appropriate.

See the article from Waste 360 here.

“Water Tower Cleanup Attracts Volunteers, Demonstrates Community Resolve and Cooperation”

Press Release

08/22/16

Thanks to a neatly organized team of community organizers, landowners, government leaders, and community members of all sorts and ages who donated their time on Saturday, August 13, the abused and trashy section of lands marking the southwest edge of Alamosa will see a significant portion of the unsightly dump piles accumulated over decades of neglect cleared out by the sweat and hard work of this small army of volunteers.

The cleanup effort was initiated as part of a USDA Rural Utilities Solid Waste Management Grant to the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council to address random dumping, waste transfer, and other problems in Alamosa and Saguache counties, with the area chosen as a highly visible place to demonstrate what can be accomplished with community resolve and all parties cooperating.

Billed as the “Adams State” Water Tower Trash Cleanup, the mix of volunteers and experienced equipment operators led by the Ecosystem’s Project Coordinator Kristina Crowder managed to gather up and fill three roll-offs with 7.5 tons of all types of discarded material destined for final disposal at the Regional Landfill west of Monte Vista.

Scattered over some 70 acres extending from the elementary school to the water tower on south Craft, trash included glass, plastics, metal, car parts, construction waste, paper, clothing, styrofoam, wood, rugs, couches, furniture, mattresses and just about any other unwanted item you can think of.

A total of 84 tires were also rounded up and hauled off to the nearby Ace In Your Pocket baling yards free of charge with disposal status recorded by Alamosa County’s Lynnea Rappold, SLV’s Environmental Health Director.  A week before the cleanup John Manesiotis and Kyle Williams of WSB eRecyclers scouted the site and picked up 900 pounds of electronics valued at 50 cents per pound and processed at no charge.

About 25 persons in all participated, although more would have been appreciated for the extreme size and challenges of the area.  Adding youthful energy to the group were Alamosa High School freshman Inez Herrera, Ortega Middle School seventh grader Damian Orozco, and Boy Scout William Krebs. Organizers were delighted to see youth representation at the cleanup in order for them to see first-hand the mess created by uncontrolled disposal behavior, and the educational imperative of leaving a clean and uncluttered environment for future generations.

Ecosystem Director Christine Canaly and Project Developer John Stump thanked the group for their participation, and the roles each person played in making the cleanup a success.  The cleanup team also welcomed Ecosystem board members Beth Kinney and Joel Kaufman.

Della Vieira, Alamosa County Health Department Director, expressed safety concerns, particularly in the event any needles were uncovered in the trash.  Canaly also thanked the Sheriff’s office for assigning a Deputy to the event.

None of this work could have been done without backhoe equipment and operator time donated to the project, and special recognition was given to Albert Griego of the County Road & Bridge Department, landowner Troy Duran of Dell’s Insurance, and landowner, rancher, and businessman LeRoy Martinez.  Also pitching in from Alamosa County was Commissioner Helen Sigmond, and Charlie Griego represented the residents of his ward and the City of Alamosa.

Recognition also followed for Steve and Lisa Atencio; Brian Underwood, whose tent skills proved indispensable; David Topolewski, Conejos District Forest Service; and citizens Margie Clemmer, Gwendolyn Bauer, Lorraine Garcia, Paul Patterson and Dodie Day.

Roll-offs were provided by Alamosa Public Works Department Director, Pat Steenburg, using a “free day” for tipping fees at the landfill.  Trinity Lutheran Church supplied table and chairs.   Other suppliers making this possible at no cost included WSB eRecyclers; ASU Facilities;  Alamosa Parks and Recreation; SLV Public Health; Mondragon’s Portable Toilets; Domino’s Pizza;  City Market; and Safeway.

The area will continue to be monitored for dumping activity, and landowner Martinez plans to install signage and erect barriers to keep dumpers out. Residents near the area need to stay vigilant and report any suspicious illegal dumping activity to the Alamosa County Sheriff’s office. Look for vehicle descriptions and license plates.  This is a public health risk that all citizens need to be concerned about. Illegal dumping attracts vermin that carry diseases and subject nearby neighborhoods to a greater risk of contact. USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

Before and after the Clean-up.

Volunteers load the front loader. with assorted garbage.

Damian Orozco & Inez Herrera represented the youth demographic.

For more information, contact:

Kristina Crowder | Project Coordinator, 719.588.5127, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or SLVEC office (719) 589-1518.