2011 A Big Year For Richland Opportunities Inc.

Richland Opportunities, Inc. (ROI), Sidney, had a lot of developments and expansion in 2011. ROI is a non-profit organization that has provided support services to people with developmental disabilities in Richland County since1979. Recycling is one of the main roles ROI has taken on in the community that continues to expand. Aiding ROI in their efforts is the area Recycling Advisory Committee. The Recycling Advisory Committee consists of area citizens working to ensure that the community has an opportunity to recycle materials that are currently not able to be recycled in our area.

There are several ways ROI aids the community in its recycling efforts. They collect aluminum cans, newspapers and magazines at drop-off locations. Five drop-off locations are in Sidney with additional drop-off locations near convenience stores in Fairview and Savage. The ROI Workshop, 1100 Silurian Lane, Sidney, is the main recycling facility which accepts corrugated cardboard boxes and #1 PET plastic bottles in addition to cans, newspapers and magazines. For detailed information on what can be recycled and a list of all drop-off locations go to the recycling section of the ROI website at http://www.roisidney.com.

For the past few years, ROI has assisted in recycling electronic waste during the Erase Your E-Waste events. This year, ROI, along with the Recycling Advisory Committee, expanded its recycling efforts to accommodate recycling office paper and plastic bottles, #1-6, during the Trashy Tuesday events.

The Trashy Tuesday events have taken place at Richland County Public Works, 2140 W. Holly St. by the fairgrounds. The materials to be collected during Trashy Tuesday include plastic bottles (#1-6 with lids removed) and office paper. The plastic bottles must have a number “1-6” inside the chasing arrows symbol on them, they must have a threaded neck that is smaller than the bottle and must be clean with the caps removed. All paper products are acceptable with the exception of manila envelopes, bright neon paper, catalogs and telephone books. Trashy Tuesdays are scheduled the 3rd Tuesday of every 3rd month. The next event will take place Jan. 17, 2012 from 3-7 p.m. Other future Trashy Tuesday events will be listed in The Roundup’s online events calendar at http://www.roundupweb.com.

Over the past few years the growing number of citizens in our area has placed additional strain on ROI’s equipment and facilities. This prompted them to expand their facility and begin to raise money for a new collection truck. “Our old truck was in the shop for over a month this year,” stated ROI executive director Cindy Eleson.

ROI launched a capital campaign this year to raise the needed funds. “Our capital campaign has raised the necessary $86,000 to purchase the trunk,” said Eleson. The truck has been purchased and will be delivered in early 2012. “It has been a community effort and we are grateful to the many businesses and individuals who have contributed on behalf of ROI,” stated Eleson.

For more information on ROI and how you can contribute to their efforts contact Cindy Eleson at 406-488-3341 or email her at [email protected].