Yesterday, the Board of Mecosta Recycles revealed the purchase of a new box truck to help serve the greater Big Rapids area.

According to a press release, it was the help of ten donor organizations who collectively contributed $51,500 for the purchase of the new truck. The ten organizations who made the purchase of this new truck possible include Big Rapids Lions Club, Big Rapids Public Schools, Consumers Energy Foundation, Ferris State University, Gerber Construction, Hamtech, Inc., Horizon Bank, Ice Mountain, Mecosta County Community Foundation, and the Rotary Club of Big Rapids.

"We are so honored to have organizations in our community," President of Mecosta Recycles, Bonnie Clark, said. "When a need is presented to them, they respond in such a generous manner to help keep hundreds of tons of recyclable materials out of the Pierson landfill. This Earth Day, we are reminded once again, that based on the volume of research and the hundreds of products being produced, many items do not have to go to a landfill anymore."

The group's previous truck, now 15 years old, had accrued over 123,000 miles and was nearing the end of its life.

Mecosta Recycles was created 1989, when a group of residents started recycling old newspapers. They would go on to rent a small facility and then eventually purchase a larger facility at 424 N. Fourth St. The group continues to recycle as many materials as possible with the help of vendors.

"We are also glad to announce that effective immediately, we are now accepting color glass," stated recently hired Operations Manager Elvira Rajala-Wilk. We get asked often why we don't take color glass. In talking with our friends at the Osceola County recycling facility in Reed City, we learned they found a vendor in Ohio who not only takes color glass that can be mixed with clear glass, but the vendor provides a roll-off and does not charge for pick up. Our businesses and residents will be glad to hear this."

Mecosta Recycles would like to direct interested community members to their new website, mecostarecycles.org, to see the many items we do collect and the many products that are produced from recyclables. For those who might be interested in volunteering at the Center on Saturdays or Mondays for a couple hours, reach out at 231-796-9872 or by sending an email at mecostarecycles@gmail.com.

_{Photo courtesy of the Board of Mecosta Recycles.}