History

Providing Solid Waste Solutions for a Better Community
History

Latah Sanitation, Inc./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 yard waste bins.bmp (911790 bytes)

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 12 vermicomposting bins and to implement vermicomposting education throughout Latah County.
	1999 MR implements City of Moscow Curb It! Curbside Recycling Program
	2002 Latah County helps fund a permanent HHW Facility located at the Solid Waste Processing Facility.
	2003 MR revamps the Curb It! program to a once a week collection system increasing the collection rate by over 30%

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