Big changes are happening in the local recycling service that will result in more convenience and added elbow-room for those dropping off their materials. In addition to an upcoming move across town, there also has been a name change.
First Step Recycling is now called Sunflower Diversified Recycling and its new location will be 5523 10th, the former Kansas Door facility.
The current facility at 1010 Hubbard continues to operate. The 10th Street site will open in a few weeks and there will be little or no disruption in service.
Sunflower Diversified Services began operating the well-established recycling business in 2000 and has made a number of improvements over the years. This is just the next step, said Jim Johnson, Sunflower executive director.
Sunflower serves infants, toddlers and adults with developmental disabilities and delays in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. Many of the recycling employees are Sunflower clients who enjoy the opportunity to work with the public.
“We wanted to make the drop-off site more visible and more convenient, while we continue to provide jobs to people with disabilities,” Johnson said. “We will offer the same good service at this new location where motorists will have more room to maneuver.”
Sunflower also hopes to expand its paper-shredding service so that it is offered at both its current location at the processing plant near the Great Bend Airport and the 10th Street facility.
“There is a growing need for the paper-shredding service,” Johnson said. “The new location will allow the possibility for expansion.”
Johnson noted that confidentiality is guaranteed to those who bring in paper for shredding. They are welcome to stay and watch the procedure, or they can leave it with employees who lock it in a cabinet until it is actually shredded, usually within a short amount of time.
While the recycling service is important to the community as a whole, it is equally important as an operation that provides job opportunities to Sunflower clients, Johnson commented.
“This is the definition of a win-win situation,” Johnson said. “More Sunflower individuals will now have access to jobs in a community setting and we are helping the environment.”
While “First Step” was an appropriate name when the service started more than 20 years ago, it was time for it to become more closely identified with Sunflower, Johnson said.
“We wanted to more clearly associate this great service with Sunflower,” Johnson explained. “First Step was a good name when it was started by community organizers because it was, indeed, the first step in a local recycling effort.
“We kept the name when we took over in 2000 but it was time for the change,” he added. “Everyone appreciates those who started the service and we will honor that legacy.”
The site on Hubbard Street is for sale.