Recycling on Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, and all around the world people have been focused on going green for the occa...  More »

Today is Earth Day, and all around the world people have been focused on going green for the occasion. In Minot, one group of employees uses that philosophy year-round, salvaging garbage that we produce. Gather up your cans and paper because we think they're some people you should know... (Vickie Bambenek, Recycling Center Job Coach) Cardboard, paper. (Dan Erdmann, KX News) Business was a little hectic today for Vickie Bambenek and the workers at Minot's Recycling Center, as the line of cars carrying collections of paper and cans was a bit longer than normal. If you are someone that saves items like these, chances are, you've been here before. But today was special. (Vickie Bambenek, Recycling Center Job Coach) We're celebrating Earth Day. We've had a promotion out there for about a month now in the paper and on the radio stations. (Dan Erdmann, KX News) The promotion allowed recyclers to receive a higher value of cash or tokens for their aluminum cans and paper. The tokens are then redeemable at a number of local businesses. The line of vehicles seemed endless at first, but Vickie and her crew handled the chaos with ease. However, most of the members of her crew might not be what you'd expect. (Vickie Bambenek, Recycling Center Job Coach) Mainly, they all have some sort of disability, all in their own way, but they're all unique in their own. Some will do more than others, which is all understanding and they're all asked not to do anything that they cannot perform. (Dan Erdmann, KX News) But performing was not a problem today. As thousands of cans and endless stacks of paper rolled into the building, each vehicle was unloaded and sent on their way in only a matter of minutes. Over $1000 in tokens were distributed in the first twenty minutes after the doors opened. Of course there was a little extra help today, but it seems keeping up just isn't a problem for these folks. And Vickie says they love the pressure. (Vickie Bambenek, Recycling Center Job Coach) Bring it in! The more we get, the more we like. The busier we are, the busier we like it! (Dan Erdmann, KX News) And that's why we think Vickie Bambenek and the workers at Minot's Recycling Center are some people you should know. (Vickie Bambenek, Recycling Center Job Coach) That's it. (Dan Erdmann, KX News) Dan Erdmann, KX News. Bambenek says they also collect a few things you might not expect, like computer parts, flourescent lights, and even oil filters.  « Less