More than 5,700 customers have recycled more than 77 tons of material at the Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center (SDRC) since it opened on July 11.
According to an administrative brief by Jim Teutsch of the Salina Public Works Department, “after eight weeks of operation, the facility has serviced 5,727 customers who recycled 77.1 tons of material. SDRC drivers have made a total of 11 trips to the Material Recovery Facility or ‘MRF’ in South Hutchinson, where the recyclables are processed.”
The brief was included in the Salina City Commission meeting packet for Monday.
Teutsch wrote that both residential and commercial customers are using the facility. He wrote that, “overall feedback has been extremely positive. Staff members are regularly complimented and thanked by customers who seem to value the convenience of the drive-through system, the cleanliness of the facility’s grounds, and the friendliness of SDRC staff.”
Teutsch noted that a few minor operational changes have been made to maximize efficiency.
“Staff members installed a low-height yellow and black speed bump near the building entrance. This helps customers judge where to stop and aids them in seeing the traffic light at the entrance of the building; which in turn helps staff maintain a single vehicle within the facility at any one time. Staff installed a second speed bump at the unloading area to help customers judge where to stop for staff to quickly greet them and unload their recyclables,” Teutsch wrote.
Wednesday remains the busiest collection day for the SDRC, both in number of average customers and tons collected, according to the brief. Peak times for customers are between 10:30-11 a.m., with customer traffic remaining steady through mid afternoon, Teutsch added.
The SDRC began collecting shredded paper on September 19, and to that end, the SDRC has added a 40-foot shipping container at the southwest corner of the property in which to store the shredded paper until a recycling contractor can pick it up, Teutsch wrote.
According to Teutsch, “All shredded paper must be separated (in its own container) from all other recyclables accepted at the facility. It must be clean and dry. It is preferred that it be placed in brown paper grocery bags or clear plastic bags (to aid in the screening process), but SDRC staff will accept other separated bags or containers.”
Teutsch noted that acceptable shred includes the following.
- Blueprints (paper only)
- Brochures (paper only)
- Copier paper
- Colored paper
- Craft paper
- Credit Cards (mixed in with paper)
- Notebook paper
- Plain paper envelopes
- Utility statements (and other bills)
Shred that will not be accepted, he wrote, includes the following.
- Cardboard
- Inserts
- Junk Mail
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Paperboard
- Plastic films
- Stickers
- Wax paper
The SDRC is located at 125 W. North Street. Scheduled hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.