Twine Recycling Scores Big

We have an impressive update on twine recycling efforts by the Four Corners Back Country Horsemen, first posted here.

Christopher Smyth reports:

Late last year, the Four Corners Back Country Horsemen along with the Mesa Verde BCH chapter transported their first load of baling twine to a recycling processor located 45 minutes north of Denver, Colorado.

We were lucky enough to have a very devoted Mesa Verde member who volunteered to use his truck and trailer to make the seven-hour plus trip to the facility.

The Four Corners chapter sent 2,893 pounds of twine, shipped in seven large super sacks. The Mesa Verde BCH shipped four bags totaling 1,340 pounds.

Over four thousands pounds of twine was diverted from landfills and was processed in small plastic pellets. These pellets will then be shipped to manufacturers for use in producing new products. According to Stanford University, recycling one ton of plastic saves 5,774 kilowatts of energy, 16.3 barrels of oil, 98 Million BTU’s of energy, and 30 cubic yards of landfill space.

After expenses, the 4CBHC was left with $111, which the board approved to donate to the National Forest Foundation. The NFF will earmark our funds and plant one tree for every dollar donated.

The 4CBCH has already collected and stockpiled another 13 super sacks, with more twine coming in every week. The 4CBCH have made a commitment to use the proceeds from the sale of twine for environmental causes within National Forests and it is my hope that we can plant 1,000 trees in a local National Forest with the money from the spring shipment.

This means that we will have to collect and ship over five tons of twine. It’s a lofty goal, but we are well on our way to accomplishing it.

There are now twine drop off sites at the Basin Cooperatives in Cortez and Durango, as well as at the Mancos Public Library. For more information, email Smyth at [email protected]

Check out the Four Corners Back Country Horsemen website here.

We think it’s a great project. Kudos!