Recycling at Big South Fork

 

Nature has been recycling from the beginning of time. Our natural environment recycles plants, trees, animals, insects, and soils. Big South Fork NRRA mimics the example of nature in our recycling efforts -- recognizing that the waste generated by nearly 1 million visitors needs to be dealt with responsibly.

Why Does Big South Fork Recycle?
There a many reasons to recycle, but the short list includes:

• It saves money.
• It improves efficiency.
• It reduces energy use.
• It reduces water use.
• It saves landfill space.
• It improves air quality.
• It improves water quality.
• It reduces the rate of global warming.
  

 

In 2019, Big South Fork NRRA kept 44 percent of its trash out of the landfill, which is closer the goal of 50 percent set by the National Park Service.

Selected Recycling Data for Big South Fork NRRA (2019)

• Aluminum: 650 lbs
• Batteries (mixed): 120 lbs
• Cardboard: 9,900 lbs
• Electronics (mixed): 1019 lbs
• Glass: 3,950 lbs
• Green Waste (plant matter): 198 acres
• Manure: 6 tons
• Paper (white & mixed): 7,000 lbs
• Plastic (#1PET & #2HDPE): 3,330 lbs
• Scrap metal: 1.7 tons
• Tires (car & truck): 56

Effective management of this waste requires a comprehensive program of awareness, education, action, and commitment to continual improvement. Reducing waste by not generating it in the first place is the primary goal of Big South Fork's waste management program.