City of Ketchum Unveils Cardboard Compactor at Current Recycle Site

The new cardboard compactor, located on Lewis Street between the car wash and fire training center, will save space, reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution, and cost less than the current recycling bins.

The City of Ketchum is pleased to announce the installation of a cardboard recycling compactor at the current Ketchum Recycling Center, located at 215 Lewis Street between the car wash and fire training center. The compactor, which is the same type of unit installed at the Hailey Park & Ride Lot off River Street in 2022, will be operational beginning Wednesday, March 6. The current cardboard recycle dumpsters will be phased out immediately. Volunteers from the Wood River Valley Climate Action Coalition will be on-site opening day through the first week of operation, between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM, to demonstrate how to use the new compactor.

Installation of the cardboard compactor will save space and allow for more efficient, long-term land use in the future. Instead of eight standard cardboard recycling dumpsters, only one compactor will be needed to serve the community. The setup will also save money and reduce carbon emissions. The current cardboard dumpsters must be emptied by Clear Creek Disposal six times a week, up to two times a day. However, the compactor may only need to be emptied once or twice a week, resulting in less heavy equipment operation and noise in the area.  

The new compactor is operational daily from dawn through dusk. General garbage and packing materials, including plastic and Styrofoam, cannot be placed in the compactor. The compactor is for cardboard only.

To operate the compactor:

• remove all packing materials and garbage from the cardboard boxes;  
• break down and flatten the cardboard to fit within the 32”x 8” opening; and
• insert the cardboard, press the green button to start the compactor, and stand clear of the unit while it is running.

Instructional signs are on-site that demonstrate how to use the compactor properly. If the compactor is full or not working, please contact Clear Creek Disposal at (208) 726-9600. Please do not leave boxes on the ground or anywhere outside of the compactor. Video surveillance is on the premises to ensure cardboard is recycled properly. For larger, more frequent commercial cardboard recycling needs, Clear Creek Disposal offers a pickup service. Contact Clear Creek Disposal at (208) 726-9600 for commercial recycling pick-up information.

For the latest City of Ketchum news, including updates on recycling and garbage disposal, visit ketchumidaho.org.