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Dont throw that away!

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Wilson Recycling named 'Recycler of the Year'

Wilson Recycling in Mason County will find a way to recycle just about anything, including the kitchen sink.

On May 24, the Washington State Recycling Association named the two-and-a-half year old company the Washington State Recycler of the Year, partly because of the sheer number of recy-clables Wilson takes in.

"This award recognizes that we are going above and beyond in the world of recycling," said David Baker, executive director of Wilson Recycling.

The award was for a primary business, which means that the recipient is a company that only recycles.

"Last year's winner was Nucor Steel in downtown Seattle - that's a pretty substantial organization," Baker said. "You're talking about competing with a company that spends a million-and-a-half dollars a month on electricity ... and this year we won."

Despite its small size, Wilson will take in things most people don't even know can be recycled, like plastic swimming pools, streetlights and even kitchen sinks.

Wilson does not actually recycle what they take in, but like most recycling centers he cleans, sorts and strips down items brought in, then sends the resulting materials to companies that specialize in recycling specific things.

"What we do is source separate, so we break it down into its most fundamental pieces and then we recycle it as that," Baker said. "We accept far more materials than probably any other recycle center."

Among the things that Wilson exclusively recycles in Mason County is shrink-wrap plant nursery pots, lumber wrap, agricultural plastic and giant outdoor plastic toys.

In fact, it's easier to understand how much Wilson recycles if you ask what they can't take.

"We haven't found a good home for fiber optic cable," Baker said.

The award also came as recognition for "creative re-use" within the facility, Baker said.

One of the ways Wilson recycles in-house was to take large paint containers, cut the top off, and use them as storage for recyclables.

They also use 55-gallon drums as storage, Baker said.

The recycling center will also pay for some recyclables, including metal tools.

"Some people come and they want to sell for metal value some of their tools. We have used many of those tools and do every day," Baker said. "A hammer here or whatever isn't that big a deal but it saves us money, it demonstrates our commitment to reuse and recycling and it creates a value for the customer."

While the award ultimately does not have any monetary value for Wilson Recycling, Baker said it had a very definite, if intangible, value for the company and the community.

"It puts Wilson Recycling, Shelton and Mason County on the radar and on the map in the world of garbage and recycling," he said. "We're doing it on a very small scale but we're doing it well ... if you can do this here ... it can be done."



Copyright 2011 Shelton-Mason County Journal, Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 Shelton-Mason County Journal Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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