A spokesperson for Waste Management said it will be a seamless transition, and that there will be no changes to service, rates or schedules at this time.
“We are excited to welcome our newest customers,” said communication specialist Isha Cogborn.
Waste Management will take over BSI’s eight routes in Montezuma, Dolores, and La Plata counties. All the current drivers will retain their jobs, Cogborn said.
Baker’s recycling services will also stay.
“We will continue to provide curbside recycling for residents, as well as pickup from current drop-off sites throughout the community,” Cogborn said.
Last year, the Montezuma County landfill adjusted operations to become a regional recycling hub. The move from a stacked bale to a compaction system freed up an industrial baler now used to processing recycling products for the market.
As part of the effort, last summer BSI launched a curbside recycling program for it’s customers.
About 40 people signed up for the hybrid single-stream bin system service that requires customers to separately bag recyclables.
No. 1 and No. 2 plastics go in one bag, mixed paper go in another, and tin, metal and aluminum go in a third bag. Cardboard is to be stacked and should not be bagged.
Upon arrival at the landfill’s tipping floor, employees separate the bags then bale the commodities for shipment and sale. Landfill manager Shak Powers said the new program pays for itself and has created a new sorter position. As volume and landfill sales of recyclables increases, additional sorters are hired.
Currently the landfill receives one ton of recyclables per month from the recyclable program started by Baker and carried forward by Waste Management.
“Continuing it is good news,” Powers said.
John Stramel, former BSI chairman, said it was a good business venture.
“We did well and expanded,” he said. “Now it’s time to take it easy for a while.”
jmimiaga@the-journal.com