On February 27 of this year, Bristow became the first community in the country to adopt Replenysh, Inc.’s “circular economy” recycling endeavor, according to Kris Wyatt, Bristow City Councilwoman and Bristow’s Replenysh network contact. As the first community to adopt the new circular recycling concept of buy, use, and sell between consumers and industry, Bristow became a test of sorts for Replenysh. Replenysh wanted to know how this new concept of recycling might work across a community, and Bristow delivered.
Since the first collection event on February 27th, the community has collected and sold 64,915 pounds—more than 32 tons—of non-cardboard recycling materials from public collection events and host sites. Currently, 23,000 pounds—11.5 tons— of cardboard still sits, baled and waiting for delivery and sale to be recycled. In astonishing fact, that 11.5 tons of cardboard currently baled was collected in just over one month’s time since November 1st. In total, public events and host sites have collected 87,915 pounds—44 tons—of recyclable materials for sale directly to businesses for use in their products in just nine months, teaching and helping Replenysh to build better, more efficient networks across the country.
Asked how important the baler is to community recycling efforts, Kris stated that buyers will no longer accept loose cardboard. All cardboard must be baled. After purchasing the baler, Kris and her husband, Bob, receive cardboard from across the community, bale it, and store bales until reaching 40 bales to fill a truck for sale. Because cardboard must be baled for sale, surrounding area com munities without balers deliver their cardboard to Bristow’s efforts for baling and sale, resulting in greater financial benefit for Bristow.
As for helping Replenysh build more efficient networks, Replenysh learned that holding mass collection events and trucking the material proved less efficient than desired with trucks being incompletely filled, filled with materials remaining, having to rent trucks for multiple days, and needing to hire different drivers to retrieve and deliver the collected materials as Bristow held collection events. In an effort to enhance efficiency, Replenysh worked with Kris and Bob to build host sites: local homes and businesses willing to accept and hold sorted materials until enough material is collected to fill a truck for sale.
Across the community, several public hosts accept sorted materials, aiding in the effort and community benefit. Collection totals include the materials from collection events and public host sites. However, Bristow is also home to several private host sites such as some industrial businesses. Those private host sites collect their own materials from their business and employee ventures. While money raised through public collections is returned to the community for public use, private hosts keep any funds generated. Private hosts’ material collection totals are not included in the 44 tons previously noted.
Kris wants the community to know that not only has Bristow built a highly successful network and structure for communities across the country to follow, but it has resulted in jobs. As Bristow’s network grew and other businesses and communities began recycling with Replenysh, the need for full-time drivers, who retrieve, transport, and deliver materials, quickly arose. Nine months after Bristow began, new jobs have been created, 44 tons of recyclable materials has been kept out of landfills, the community has benefitted from recycling proceeds, and many other networks have been built across the state and country. To say the Bristow community’s efforts have been successful is an understatement. The community inspired a recycling movement in partnership with Replenysh.
Getting involved in the movement is as simple as choosing to recycle and being mindful about the process. Kris said it best, “Recycling is a mindful exercise: Be mindful of what is trash and what can be recycled. Read the labels and sort materials according to their material classifications. If you’re using a bottle as a sharp’s container or have another potentially hazardous material, please dispose of that properly without including it in your recyclables. Ask questions any time you are unsure if an item is acceptable or about the process. If you have a question or a concern, please reach out to me.” Kris can be reached by phone at (918) 645-6935.