Latah Sanitation, Inc. d.b.a. Moscow Recycling
Public/Private Partnership
Without funding from the state of Idaho, local communities must
find innovative ways of establishing a comprehensive solid waste and recycling program.
Many municipalities find they need the assistance of the private sector to achieve their
goals and to provide the best possible service to their community. Latah Sanitation, Inc.,
doing business as Moscow Recycling since 1984, together with the City of Moscow, have
forged an effective public/private partnership which has produced a strong integrated
solid waste management system. This unique partnership has served as a model for other
communities wishing to develop cost-effective solid waste and recycling services.
Public Waste Reduction Education Program
In 1993 Latah Sanitation, Inc. developed a proposal to the City of
Moscow for a public-private partnership in funding the Waste Reduction Education Program,
coordinated by a full-time educator. This community-wide public education program
encourages waste reduction, recycling, composting, and the safe disposal of hazardous
waste. The program targets audiences in the household, business, and youth communities
through a six-part brochure series, a twice-yearly newsletter, presentations, public
tours, displays, and announcements in community newsletters, local newspapers, radio and
local television. The program also maintains the Waste Reduction Education Library containing
periodicals, books, curricula, and videos available for loan to students, teachers, and
interested individuals.
Recycling Programs
Latah Sanitation, Inc., provides equipment and operations for a
full-service recycling center under a 10-year agreement with the City of Moscow, who
financed and owns the facility. Moscow Recycling currently accepts over
twenty
commodities at its 24-hour drop-off station, and also pays for selected materials through
a buy-back service.
Commercial Recycling
Moscow Recycling’s "Reduce It!" Business Recycling
Program has provided collection of recyclables for Moscow’s business community since
1996. Materials collected are corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, newspaper, office
pack, and magazines.
Composting Drop Stations 
Latah County's composting program currently includes a 24-hour yard
trimmings drop-off point at the recycling center and four drop-off containers located
throughout the county. In addition, Latah County residents and commercial customers may
bring yard trimmings to the composting area at the Solid Waste Processing
Facility for no
charge. Latah Sanitation, Inc. initiated and funded composting efforts for the first year
of operation until the City of Moscow, Latah County's Rural Cities, and Latah County could
assess the effectiveness of the program and develop additional funding.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Since 1988, Household Hazardous Wastes have been managed
in Latah County through the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day. This
annual community event collected HHW from Latah County households for proper
recycling or disposal. While HHW Day was an excellent program, the time
has come for HHW management in our community to take the next logical
step. Therefore, in the summer of 2002 a new HHW collection facility was constructed at the Solid Waste Processing Facility. This new, year-round
facility had its grand opening in August of 2002. The HHW Facility's hours
of operation are: April - October, every Saturday from 8:00 - 4:00;
November - March, the first Saturday of each Month from 8:00 - 4:00.
Appointments may be made by calling 882-5724.
Timeline
 | 1970 Volunteer-operated recycling center opens in
donated space in Moscow, ID. |
| 1972 Center begins collections on
U of I campus. |
| 1973 Recycling operations move to leased site at 215 N.
Jackson in Moscow, ID. |
| 1974 Moscow Recycling (MR) Board is incorporated
& receives first City of Moscow subsidy. |
| 1975 MR Board hires first paid recycling operations
manager. |
| 1984 MR Board turns operations over to Latah
Sanitation, Inc. (LSI) - LSI upgrades recycling facility & hires paid staff. |
| 1988 The City of Moscow and LSI fund the first annual
county-wide Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day. |
| 1988 MR Board sponsors first annual backyard composting workshops. |
| 1990 U of I funds full-fledged campus-based
recycling program with materials being processed at MR. |
| 1990 Pilot curbside leaf collection program funded by City of Moscow. |
| 1990 Mobile Recycling Drop-off Trailers placed in rural Latah County
locations. |
| 1991 City of Moscow purchases property for new Moscow
Recycling Center. |
| 1992 First annual Christmas Tree Collection program
begins & year-round drop-points for yard waste are established. |
| 1993 Contract negotiations begin between City of Moscow
and LSI for recycling center and transfer station operations. |
| 1993 Latah Sanitation, Inc. and the City of Moscow jointly fund the Waste
Reduction Education Program. |
| 1993 Latah County helps fund annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
for first time. |
| 1993 First annual Paint Exchange takes place, coordinated by Moscow Recycling. |
| 1994 City of Moscow completes new
center for MR and operations move to new location at 401 N. Jackson. |
| 1994 MSW landfill closes and new Solid Waste Processing Center opens. |
| 1995 MR receives award
from National Recycling Coalition |
| 1995 Volume-based residential garbage billing is
implemented in Moscow . |
| 1995 Latah Sanitation, Inc. opens Bulky Waste Drop-off Points in rural Latah
County under contract with Latah County. |
| 1996 MR earns a Green Star from the
North Central Idaho Green Star Program. |
| 1998 MR and the City of Moscow receive $3,000
grant from the ID Community Foundation to purchase |
