“I like that we can reuse stuff,” stated Hazel Terhaar as she was breaking down cardboard on Saturday, July 12, at the Idaho County Recycling site in Cottonwood, Idaho. Hazel, along with her older brother Ray, her younger brother Gus, and her mother Molly are part of the Greencreek Active Workers 4-H Club’s commitment to community service. The Greencreek club, as well as the Keuterville Livestock 4-H Club, have each been volunteering at the recycling site one Saturday per month for over three years. 4-H Parent Molly Terhaar said her kids really look forward to their recycling Saturday every year (each family signs up for an available slot at the beginning of the 4-H year).Hazel’s favorite parts are smashing down the cardboard and leveling the bin of newspaper/catalogs/magazines. Gus and Ray both liked leveling/spreading out the cardboard in the big bin. The 4-H members are coached to practice good customer service skills. They greet the recycling customers, ask how they can help, ask if the customers want their outer containers back, and then thank them for recycling. Molly appreciates the kids being visible in the community as well as learning about/being encouraged to practice customer service skills.
Since this 4-H/Recycling collaboration began in May of 2022, the two 4-H clubs have donated an  impressive total of 774 hours to the recycling program. Please thank them when you get the chance.
As a reminder, the program accepts cardboard (corrugated and chip board - like cereal boxes, etc.), cans (rinsed aluminum and tin cans – labels OK), and newspapers/magazines/catalogs. The Cottonwood site is on Broadway across the street from the grain elevators and is open every Saturday from 9-11 AM (closed for major holidays and the county fair). Note that we are supported solely by donations from those who recycle with us.
The Grangeville recycling site is looking for Saturday volunteers and maybe transitioning to one Saturday per month as a result of a volunteer shortage. If you or anyone you know is interested in helping out in Grangeville, contact Laura Embry at  idahocountyrecycling@gmail.com or the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IdahoCountyRecycling/.