Shriners Recycling Bins

Shriners Volunteer To Keep Recycling Bins Around
Reporting Paul Day
DENVER (CBS4) ― Dozens of recycling dumpsters across the metro have recently been taken out of service because people were filling them with trash instead of recyclable goods. Now, volunteers are banding together to keep the sites clean.

The volunteers are donating thousands of man hours and it is making a difference. The recycling sites are a valuable community asset and they are operated by the Shriners.

The Shriners are most famous for their fun loving parade appearances, plus the medical care they provide children at Shriner's hospitals. But they also operate more than 200 public recycling sites along the Front Range. They say some people abuse the free service by throwing away garbage, and sometimes a lot worse.

"We have had dead dogs; we've actually had a couple human bodies that are in there," Jim Stewart with El Jebel Shrine said.

To help control the abuse, dozens of Shriners now volunteer as monitors at the recycling sites.

"We've got 30 guys putting in about 5,000 hours per year, going out and checking these bins and making sure they stay clean," Stewart said.

A partner in the program is Waste Management Company. It provides the bins and hauls away the recyclables.

The Shriners estimate they recycle 400 tons per month. In a year, that adds up to 4,800 tons of waste. Instead of filling up a Denver landfill, it's garbage that get's re-used.

The Shriners say they are involved with recycling to support the community and help keep Colorado clean. They say they do make a little money off the recycling, but it all goes to support the Shriner programs.

To find the Shriner recycling site nearest you, call (303) 455-3470 during normal business hours.