Q&A
RTL | Recycling | Transfer Stations | Landfills
The Cooperative Teamwork & Recycling Assistance
Creates Community Recycling Programs
What is the CTRA and how did the
organization form?
The Cooperative Teamwork & Recycling Assistance
(CTRA) is a result of a solid waste feasibility study
performed in central Texas in 1994. The results suggested
that this area of the State had limited rural recycling
options, and this was a service that many communities
were interested in. CTRA was formed to help these
Rachel Perry, communities combine their resources to provide vendors
Executive Director with a higher quality and a higher volume of product,
for the CTRA, therefore making their recyclables more valuable.
discusses the
importance of the What is its goals?
organization and CTRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based
on the concept of cooperative marketing of recyclable
what it’s done
commodities. The goals of CTRA include promoting
for communities
the development of end markets for recyclables and
looking to build a furthering public education about recycling.
recycling program.
Baling workshop in Panhandle, TX. Photos courtesy of CTRA.
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How does one/company become a
member of the organization?
The most common way for an organization/
community to become involved with CTRA is to simply
reach out to us. From there, we start a series of meetings
and visits about what will be required of them to start
a program with CTRA. Each community CTRA works
with is unique, there is no cookie-cutter plan. CTRA
would like to ensure that all parties involved understand
what is required to make the program a success, before
we commit to a contract.
Why is this an important organization
to be part of?
In the past 15 years, CTRA members have been able
to offer recycling services to more than 1.5 million
citizens throughout the State who might not otherwise
have a chance to recycle due to their geographic location.
The growth of rural recycling has helped create job
opportunities, and increased recycling awareness and
need. CTRA helps create an organized network of
rural communities to share resources, knowledge,
transportation costs, equipment, etc. Whenever a new
CTRA member starts the process, we connect them
with a similar community in size and demographics to
discuss what works and what doesn’t, and give them an
advantage. This puts them ahead of the game because
they can learn from a program that is currently successful
and has made mistakes in the past, this prevents the new
program from repeating the same mistakes. We believe
one of the most important educational components of
this network is learning from each other.
How does this organization help
communities with recycling?
CTRA can assist in a community recycling program in
several capacities but the most common is a community
that has absolutely no recycling program and we work
with them to get it started from the ground up (literally).
We assist with every aspect necessary, including acquiring
a facility, equipment, grants etc. We work with staff to
Top: Part of baling workshop in Amarillo, TX.
Right: Recycle center grand opening in Utopia, TX.

get them properly trained on equipment and ensure their product is up to mill
standards. Procedures, management, education, transportation arrangements
and reporting are all part of our services to our customers.

Are there any particular recycling trends you’ve seen in Does the CTRA actively promote recycling? If so, how?
It is within our scope of service to provide education and marketing on
the communities that you’ve helped or plan to help? general recycling knowledge, to how to recycle within each specific community.
Currently, Texas is in the middle of a horrific drought where almost the
We try to do as many presentations to civic groups, schools and businesses as
entire state is under a burn-ban. As a result we have seen increased volumes of
we can to spread the word about recycling, and help ensure that the quality
paper and cardboard that most folks would normally burn. We hope that even
of recyclables going to the recycle centers are worthy of any mill. We provide
when this ban is lifted, people will continue to use the recycle center, rather
educational materials that cover a variety of topics; basic recycling education,
than go back to burning.
specific information on that community’s recycling program, how to recycle in
Cardboard is by far the most prominent material seen at CTRA centers. This
the office/home, hard to recycle items, HHW, electronics recycling, etc. CTRA
is definitely driven by area businesses that realize they can save some money on
truly believes that education is a key factor in making any program a success.
their trash pulls if they divert the cardboard to the recycle center; it’s a win-win
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for everyone.
For more information, contact Rachel Perry, Executive Director, at info@
recyclingassistance.org.

©2011 Waste Advantage Magazine, All Rights Reserved.

Reprinted from Waste Advantage Magazine.
Contents cannot be reprinted without permission from the publisher.

86 WasteAdvantage Magazine October 2011