For many in our area, hearing that Rudy Davis’ Redemption station will be closing its doors sometime in December is very sad news. What a good example of not appreciating something fully until it is too late. I’ve always been thankful for the hard work of Mr. Davis, former Fire Chief Davis, and all his contributions to the Fire Dept. over the decades. Here was one additional way he had been continuing to help the community. However, I also always assumed the redemption option would always be there.

So here we are. He deserves a well-earned break, but what will become of all of the beer and soda cans, the wine bottles? It’s a shame to put anything in the landfill and why waste the money it generates? It has been customary to leave them at the transfer station or other drop stations as donations to the Rangeley Firefighter’s Association.

The Firefighters Association relies primarily on the generous donations from the public through redemption bottles and cans to fund programs like the Rangeley Fire scholarship and the annual Christmas for the Kids event. So, not surprisingly, it has become a pressing matter that Fire Chief Michael Bacon is looking into.

As a person who spent one very long day helping to sort these, please only put in items that are redemption appropriate! You would not believe the items found over the years… Stephanie Chu-O’Neil

Currently the association is seeking other means to continue the bottle program. Said Chief Bacon, “We have recently been in touch with John Sabine, Senior Vice President of Redemption Operations for CLYNK. They have a Clynk Center in Oakland Maine that we could partner with. There would be no cost for using their site, just the cost of bringing the bottles there. Another downside to such a location is the travel distance for the association. Logistically we would have to come up with a process in house to transport the returnables from Rangeley to Oakland. We would be looking at possibly having to purchase a large trailer, box truck, or find other means to move the returnables. We will also have to find a place to store the bags of bottles as they are donated.”

Bacon also mentioned that they have plans to reach out to some closer sites, however that contact has not yet happened. Further discussions will also be explored in early October.

Besides appreciating the efforts of Rudy Davis, he also wanted to express his appreciation for the mounds of donations over the many years. Bacon, “We greatly appreciate the publics support for this program over the years. We will be working diligently for a smooth and seamless transition.”

 

 

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