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Flynn turns trash to landscaping beauty |
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Thursday, 19 November 2009 |
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 Custer County Recycling Director Kelly Flynn stands in front of a pile of pulverized glass, available at the recycling center in Broken Bow. The glass, which is ground to the point that it has no sharp edges, can be used for a variety of landscaping and construction projects.
By ELLEN MORTENSEN
Chief Assistant Editor
Last Thursday was America Recycles Day, and in this age of “reduce, reuse and recycle” it is an issue close to the heart of many people.
Kelly Flynn is one of those people. For the past 14 years, Flynn has worked at the Custer County Recycling Center in Broken Bow, where he serves as Director. He has been instrumental in establishing recycling trailers in the outlying communities of Custer County, giving those residents an opportunity to “go green” as well.
Flynn strives to stay up-to-date on the latest recycling practices and enjoys looking for innovative ways to reuse those recycled materials. In 2004, while attending a conference in Omaha, he observed a new way of recycling and reusing glass that peaked his interest.
A recycling center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was using a large glass pulverizer for recycling glass. When he returned home, Flynn went to work writing a grant in an attempt to obtain the funds to purchase one of those machines.
Custer County Recycling has been recycling glass since 1995. With this glass pulverizer, the processing system creates a pulverized glass that is safe to handle - with no sharp edges. It can be used as a permanent replacement for mulch, that doesn’t break down.
“It doesn’t require year to year replacement and is a great material for driveways, parking areas, walkways, paths, trails, patios, picnic areas and landscaping groundcover,” said Flynn.
He says the glass material is a natural deterrent to slugs when used around your garden. The glass has also been used as an aggregate mix in concrete, and Flynn is hoping to be able to contract with roads departments for the use of the glass.
As a landscape material, the glass offers a glittering, sparkly effect as it reflects the light. It is available in a mixed color with mostly clear and brown shades. It is also available at no charge. “We just want to keep it out of the landfills,” says Flynn.
Anyone interested in obtaining pulverized glass is asked to contact Kelly Flynn at 308-870-0313. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 24 November 2009 )
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