Ecology Center Initiates 2 Recycling Projects

Two major projects in community recycling of natural resources have been initiated by the Ann Arbor Ecology Center. One of these is a can recycling program, set up in connection with the center's paper collection in Westgate Shopping Center, and the other is a cooperative effort with the city of Ann Arbor and two neiglroorhoods to try total recycling on a pilot program basis. "The can recycling project is something we've been attempting to set up for ome time," said Ecology Center Recycling Chairman Russ Linden, "but arrangement for space, facilities, and markets have delayed us until now. But at last we are ready." The center will be locafed beside the trailer now being used for newspaper collection, in Westgate Shopping Center next to Arlan's. All kinds of metal cans will be accepted, sorting not necessary. The cans, however, should be rinsed, both ends removed, flattened, and labels taken off. Contractor Container Corporation is furnishing the collecting container for the eet. Hours are the same as the I newspaper collection center - every Saturday (beginning July 31) from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Bill Kopper, director of the Ecology Center, commented that "now the people of Ann Arbor have the opportunity to dispose of the majority of their solid waste in an ecological way, through recycling." The other project, a pilot program involving two Ann Arbor neighborhoods in a curb-side pickup of glass, cans and papers, will get under way this week in Bromley subdivisión in northeast Ann Arbor and a west side area. "We have selected two compact, diverse areas in Ann Arbor, and through leafletting i and personal contact with the homeowners in those areas, have asked them to put their I recyclable items on the curb a day ahead of their normal I trash collection." said Linden. The Neighborhood Youth Corps is supplying the manpower, the city of Ann Arbor Department of Public Works the trucks, and the Ecology Center is in charge of contact with residents, record keeping, and marketing. The pilot project will be continued for six weeks, Linden noted, and records will be kept of the number of households participating, amount of maI terial of various kinds collected, and cost of the operation I against sale valué of collected } materials. "This is probably the first time since World War II that any community has attempted to recycle three major waste projects at a household level," commented Linden. "Milwaukee presently has a can collection, and Madison picks up newspapers on a city-wide basis, but so far as we know, Ann Arbor will be the first to try all three." "What we are attempting to prove," said Kooper, "is that the people of Ann Arbor will take the few extra minutes to sort their waste for recyclable items and to keep these items separate for disposal in a more ecological way than the sanitary landfill offers. We think they are aware of the problem, and concerned enough." If the project proves successful in the pilot areas, Lini den notes, "it may be the first step toward establishing recycling as a viable alternative to sanitary landfills in both small communities and cities throughout Michigan." The curbside project will begin in Bromley on July 21, and in the westside area July 22.