Communities to Coordinate Recycling Efforts

By Kristin Espeland

Laramie, WY – Wyoming sends more than 95 % of its garbage to the landfill, and just 5% gets recycled. That's according to Department of Environmental Quality solid waster planner, Craig McComey. McComey says that as landfills burst at the seams communities may have to transport waste elsewhere. And the high cost of fuel may encourage some to want to recycle more. So McComey says the Wyoming Solid Waste and Recycling Association has formed a task force to help Wyoming communities coordinate recycling efforts. For instance, McComey says small communities could team up to sell recyclced commodities like plastics, the market for which requires large volumes to earn a decent price. McComey says communities across Wyoming are currently in a mandatory landfill planning process.