Terry Peterson
(406)888-5827
Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center, Glacier National Park
Phone Interview 11/14/12
Park Service Office Buildings in Glacier
 Recycle office paper, newspaper, aluminum cans, #1 and 2 plastics, and batteries
 Has been operating for 10 years
 All materials except batteries are collected in “the boneyard”, a parking lot near office
 One large dumpster the size of a semi truck, divided into compartments
 Slots for cardboard and paper are permanently half open, have trouble with paper getting wet
 Also take used oil to a local mechanic who has a waste oil burner
Batteries
 “Big Green Box” for non-rechargeable batteries (including alkaline, lithium, nickel cadmium,
nickel metal hydride, lithium ion and other household batteries)
o www.biggreenbox.com
o Can be ordered through GSA (part of federal govt) for $60/box
 Rechargeable battery box for rechargeable batteries of any size or shape (laptop, cellphone,
MP3 batteries)
 Before putting batteries in either box you must either put scotch tape over the terminals
(preferred) or put each battery in an individual Ziploc bag for safe shipping
Recycling for Park Visitors
 Have remote recycling bins stationed around the park
 Take aluminum cans, #1 and 2 plastics
o #2 must be translucent (stipulation of the contractor)
o Not enough demand for cardboard or paper in the field
o Roughly 100 recycling bins around the park
o Bear proof, these models cost $1100/ recycling bin
o Compliance is excellent when recycling bins are next to a trash receptacle—“we learned
you can’t do one without the other.”
 Bins get emptied into 20 yard dumpsters at headquarters, which are then emptied by the
contractor out of Kallispell
 Dumpsters get emptied once a week during summer season (May1-October) but just once
during October to May period
 Partnering with Yellowstone National Park starting in 2012 to recycle bear spray canisters

o Got a grant from Friends of Glacier donor to start program
Yellowstone also recycles used propane canisters, considering joining that program at a later
date
Troubleshooting / Advice
 With rural sites, major issue when your waste or recycling company changes which materials it
accepts
o Their company in Kalispell used to accept tin, doesn’t any more
o


After the change, took 2 years to get people to stop putting tin in the aluminum
container
Always put a trash can next to recycling receptacles
o Didn’t originally do this at all sites in the park, but if you don’t you’re inviting
contamination
Most impressive recycling program Peterson has seen is Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska