Habitat for Humanity helps clean up environment

Despite the absence of local curbside recycling programs, Habitat for Humanity is making it easier for Yumans to clean up the local environment. The nonprofit also builds housing for the needy.

Since its founding, the ecumenical Christian organization that restores and builds housing for the needy, has provided more than 250,000 houses sheltering 1 million people worldwide.

Habitat's Yuma affiliate first broke ground 11 years ago on city donated land and has completed 14 more houses in its 5-acre Habitat Village on S. 18th Drive. Recycling aluminum cans and plastic bottles contributes to its ongoing campaign for decent housing for all, said Debra Hunter, Habitat business manager.

"Since 1997 we've been trying to clean up the community because Yuma's population is growing," Hunter said. "Our culture is very disposable oriented and at this time in history we've become more responsible to the environment. It's what we needed to be doing for years."

In addition to cans, Habitat also recycles plastic bottles. But they can only accept No. 1 and No. 2 plastics, which break down more easily. A logo at the bottom of the container reveals the type of plastic from which the container is made.

"A lot of the water and soda bottles can be used as drinking containers again so long as it's clear plastic," Hunter said. "Some of the plastic can be use for lanyards for employee IDs and most of the cans can be re-manufactured for beverages again, I presume."

Habitat has been trying to make recycling more convenient for residents by supplying collection houses, Hunter said. Its collection bins are about the size of a dog house and are scattered at more than 215 locations across Yuma County. Hunter said the organization is just not big enough to supply curbside recycling. Both the city of Yuma and Yuma County have limited recycling programs, but neither offer curbside pickup.

Many local businesses have formed partnerships with Habitat to provide drop-off sites for the cans. Some of the businesses include Wal-Mart stores, Circle K Markets, Johnson Controls, and Shaw Industries, "who drink a lot of soda, so we pick up there every Wednesday and Saturday," Hunter said.

Shaw, which manufactures yarn for carpeting and other floor covering materials has collaborated with Habitat for the previous year, said Clayton Hasty, plant manager.

"As concern for the environment has developed Shaw began a corporate initiative called 'Green Edge' in an attempt to have zero land waste by the end of the year," Hasty said.

Shaw was actually paying to have the cans and bottles hauled away when they decided it would be better to put those funds to work.

"Habitat has a better conduit to funneling that money into the community," Hasty said. "When we examined all the waste streams, we found we weren't close enough to a large city to dispose of it. Habitat was an alternative to paying to have it hauled away. So with the money the recycling generates habitat can benefit residents here."

In 2007, Habitat recycled 58,916 pounds of aluminum cans and 36,008 pounds of plastic bottles. On average they raise $60,000 a year and have raised $500,000 since 1997. A new Habitat house typically costs between $85,000 and $100,000, Hunter noted.

Houses are usually built between September and March and volunteers are needed for construction as well as help with their bottle separation site at 2404 E. 24th Street. All volunteers are welcome but those under 15 are asked to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Those interested are asked to telephone 783-3993.

"Recycling is really important to start saving the environment for our children and grandchildren," Hunter said. "What little effort we take now will have a huge impact down the road."

---
William Roller can be reached at wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.