Why Great Falls Needs a Stronger Recycling Program

Recycling in Great Falls, Montana, is a largely overlooked issue that, if addressed, could benefit the community. Unlike many cities where curbside recycling programs make it easy for residents to participate, Great Falls lacks such infrastructure. This leads to missed opportunities for reducing waste and conserving resources. As a result, the city faces growing challenges with landfill overflow and rising environmental concerns, with a second location being picked for initial planning. Many residents may not be aware of the long-term impact this has on the environment, the local economy, and public health. With a more efficient recycling program, Great Falls could alleviate these issues, create more jobs, and help protect Montana’s public land. The recycling issue in Great Falls is more significant than most community members realize. Many residents are unaware of the scale of the problem, and there is limited participation in recycling for local community members unless they take their recyclables to Pacific Steel or Steel, Etc. Great Falls generates approximately 140,000 tons of waste annually, and only 15% is being sent to recycling yards in town (City of Great Falls, June 14, 2023). The absence of curbside recycling means the community must drive to recycling drop-off centers or rely on private services in the area. Public perception of recycling in Great Falls varies; some community members view recycling as an environmental priority, while others see it as inconvenient or unnecessary. Despite the growing environmental concerns, many community members are unaware of how much recycling could help protect our public land or the harm caused by sending waste to the current landfill north of Great Falls. The general public is the main contributor to the recycling issue in Great Falls. The State and local governments have not prioritized implementing curbside recycling or other methods to reduce landfill usage. Without stronger policies or funding to advertise private recycling facilities in Great Falls, the city will continue to rely on inefficient waste management. Local businesses also play a role, as many still use non-recyclable packaging or fail to transport their materials to local private recycling yards. Great Falls’ recycling issues are most visible in the City’s landfill. The landfill, which is nearing capacity, receives a significant amount of recyclable material that could otherwise be repurposed. While Great Falls waste management does a good job of ensuring trash bins and litter in public parks are picked up and emptied, the material collected could be separated and recycled. Much of the problem remains hidden, as waste that could have been recycled is sent to the landfill, where it will take centuries for plastics and other common materials to decompose (Beegs, October 2022). The material received at the landfill is not constantly screened properly which allows for the possibility of materials like car batteries and other hazardous waste to be dropped off, causing harmful chemicals to seep into the ground and affecting local farmland. A few local farmers near the landfill have said they have noticed their crop yield has dropped significantly in the past ten years, and they believe it attributes some of that to the chemicals seeping into the ground from the landfill (local homeowner). Due to the landfill's location, community members are not actively aware of the problem and, thus not motivated to help the community. In Great Falls, Pacific Steel and Recycling and Steel etc., play vital roles in the city’s recycling landscape. Both companies process and recycle various materials that help divert significant waste from the landfill. These companies provide residents and businesses with an outlet for disposing of recyclable materials while also getting compensated for some materials. Both companies may not take all of the material that Great Falls produces. However, with the focus on metals like steel, aluminum, copper, and fibrous materials, they still contribute significantly to reducing the city’s overall waste. However, the lack of coverage for the other typical recyclables like plastics and glass means that much of the city’s waste will continue to end up in landfills, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive recycling program in Great Falls.