Charlie Robinson is executive director of Williston’s Opportunity Foundation, which is a non-profit corporation started in 1983 to support people who are developmentally disabled. The foundation has worked with the city of Williston for over 15 years in providing workers for the recycling center that’s currently located at 409 1st St. East.
Robinson said the relationship between the city and the workers they provide at the center is a symbiotic relationship that works well and continues to improve.
“It’s been a great relationship, period. When the center was getting put together they were looking for a labor force and it’s allowed for meaningful work for the people we provide help for,” said Robinson.
There are currently 12 people working at the recycling center and five other staff members, said Robinson. He said the city has always been very supportive of the center when it’s needed any repairs at the old center and in building the new center in its current location a few years ago. Robinson also praised the workers for the great job they do. “The people enjoy working there; they are so efficient, as well as proficient in what they do. With a variety of work and going out into the city doing pickup, what also makes it meaningful is at the end of the day you can see what you’ve done all day,” said Robinson.
Patty Fiorenza, recycling coordinator for the city of Williston, also said the workers do a great job.
“They work so hard and are so dedicated and they work with the feeling that they’re accomplishing something. The last couple of years have just been wonderful,” said Fiorenza.
Fiorenza said the efficient and excellent work provided is even more impressive with the large increase in recycling in Williston. She said in 2007, the center processed just over 515 tons of recyclable material. In 2008, that jumped to over 653 tons.
“They just do better and better each year,” said Fiorenza.
The center is up to about two to four bales of cardboard recycled each day and averages about one or two bales of shredded paper per week. Fiorenza said they are up to about three trucks full of recyclable material per month and paper and cardboard are what they receive most. She said from Thanksgiving and until after Christmas tends to be a busy time of year, and Mondays in general are busy.
Fiorenza said she’s happy with the increase in materials being brought to the center and they’re talking about placing recycling bins around town so they can get even more material.
She also said people in Williston seem to be more open to recycling in recent years. Fiorenza said there are several reasons for that, one of which is the population increase.
“More people are moving in who lived in cities where it was mandatory. I’ve gotten numerous calls from people like that saying they want to recycle,” said Fiorenza.
Marty Blundred, supervisor at the recycling center, said they get a lot of cardboard from the oil companies as well, which has aided in the increase of material. He said people moving to the area has helped, but it may be a gradual change in mindset that’s contributing as well.
“I think it’s brought a bigger awareness to the people of Williston,” said Blundred. Blundred said all of these factors likely make for the increase in amount of recycled material to hold steady.
“I don’t see any great big drop. We’re getting a lot more office paper and stuff. A few things from small communities like Culbertson, bringing a truck once a month with a small amount, that helps too,” said Blundred.
The Williston Recycling Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is also a 24-hour drop box for materials to be left after hours. To contact the center, call 572-2744.
The Opportunity Foundation currently serves about 70 developmentally disabled people throughout Williams, McKenzie and Divide counties. The foundation is located at 612 E. Broadway.
For more information on the center and the services it provides call 774-8593 or visit its Web site at www.oppfound.org/.
Comments