Apr. 22, 2026
On Earth Day and every day, Re:Source uses modern technology and efficient systems to ensure Marion County’s waste is processed in a way that protects the health of our community and our planet.
A History of Moving Waste Forward
The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. Back then, many of the locally owned hauling companies that still serve Marion County today were already hard at work taking care of our community’s waste. They understood the need to create a more sustainable future for waste management. So in the 1980s they came together to form the Mid Valley Haulers Association and collectively implement more modern disposal practices, eventually establishing Re:Source as a way to recover reusable materials from local construction and demolition (C&D) debris.
How Re:Source Reduces Waste’s Environmental Impact
Over the last 25+ years as we’ve expanded our capabilities and services to cover all of Marion County’s waste, our goal has remained the same: to send less to the landfill and reduce waste’s impact on the environment. Here’s how…
More Efficient Waste Collection Routes
Re:Source’s central location provides one convenient stop for haulers to dispose of all their waste and recycling loads.
The Benefit: Trucks traveling fewer miles = less fuel consumption and emissions
Material Recovery
C&D debris from local construction projects and loose waste from all Marion County transfer stations is sorted to recover reusable materials like wood, metal, concrete, and cardboard.
The Benefits
- Less waste is sent to area landfills
- Reduces the need for new materials to be sourced
- Wood residuals are recycled locally as biofuel, providing clean energy to 5,000 area homes
Over the last 25+ years…our goal has remained the same: to send less to the landfill and reduce waste’s impact on the environment.
Load Consolidation & Compacting
Curbside recycling and organic waste loads are consolidated before being taken to approved facilities for further processing. Non-recyclable residual waste is compacted using special equipment that combines the waste from 4 collection trucks into a single 29-ton load.
The Benefit: Eliminates 1,150 semi-truck loads each year, saving 20,000+ gallons of fuel annually and lowering our carbon footprint
Supporting the Compost Cycle
Re:Source transports all organic waste collected in Marion County to a local facility where it’s turned into nutrient-rich compost for area farms and gardens.
The Benefits
- Keeping food waste out of landfills reduces methane emissions, a major support for climate health
- The use of compost helps to prevent erosion, conserve water, and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers
Community Education
At Re:Source’s education room, students and community members don’t just get a firsthand look at how we’re saving resources. They also learn how they can make a difference at home by carefully sorting their curbside waste, recycling, and organics.
The Benefits
- Supports everyday recycling efforts
- Reduces contamination of recyclable materials, ensuring they can be repurposed
- Inspires the next generation of innovators to create earth-friendly solutions for waste
Since our founding, Re:Source has diverted over 1.25 million tons of waste away from local landfills. Each time you properly dispose of electronics (your local hauler can help!), recycle a can or place an apple core into your organics bin, you’re helping us create a world where the negative impact of waste is significantly reduced. And that’s something to celebrate, today and every day.
Categories: Recycling, Sustainability
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