NEWS

Recology-Oregon Compost facility discussed

Carol Roller
Aumsville Historical Society

When Aumsville Historical Society met on Thursday, March 10, in the community center, President Ted Shepard  introduced Tim Rice of Aumsville's Recology-Oregon Compost facility on 11th Street.

The parent company operates 116 locations in Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada.  It originated in San Francisco many years ago when an Italian immigrant began garbage collection using burlap bags.

Tim, who lives at Mollala, began work in Aumsville in 2008.  At that time, the finished compost was piled as high as a six-story building and the neighbors were unhappy with the smell.

Since then, the composting techniques have been improved.  The raw, shredded material is formed into long, low ridges which are equipped with pipes to inject oxygen.  The internal temperature increases as microbes decompose the material.  When the temperature rises above 130 degrees, rainwater from holding ponds is used to cool it.  Residents can bring plant waste to the facility, but most of the raw material being processed comes by truck from other areas.

Compost is available for purchase and residents can obtain one cubic yard free at designated times.  The compost is used at the community garden.  Residents can help themselves to small amounts from a supply pile there.  Members thanked Tim for managing this good neighbor operation.

After a refreshment break, Ted conducted the business meeting.  Some new museum acquisitions were displayed.  The old Aumsville City Hall sign has been hung in the museum.  Winter work, such as filing and indexing, was done by Ted with the assistance of Linda Mills and Karla Kliewer.  Karla's husband, Charles, has recently retired from the US Navy and was present at the meeting.

Aumsville City Councilor, Nico Casarez, was also present.  He encouraged public participation  in the planning of park improvements.

The next AHS meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14.  The museum will open for the season at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 2.  For more information about AHS, or to arrange a museum  visit by appointment, please contact Ted Shepard (503) 749 2744 or Karlene Santibanez (503) 749-2585.

Tim Rice with an aerial view of Aumsville's Recology-Oregon Compost facility