The Bandera County Commissioners’ Court reviewed the status of operations at the Mansfield Park Recycling Center on June 13 and listened to a report from Don’t Make Waste Bandera (DMWB) highlighting the efforts and results of their organization and its volunteers at the facility.
The Mansfield Recycling Center, which closed during the 2020 pandemic, resumed operations in October 2022 thanks to community volunteers.
Commissioner Jody Rutherford stated, “When we shut down because of COVID, restarting was incredibly challenging. We tried, but it was difficult until a dedicated group of volunteers stepped in. Initially, it was a rough journey, with piles of garbage accumulating. Now, thanks to their persistent efforts, the center is spotless and operational.”
In reviewing the operations, Rutherford listed several requirements for the facility moving forward. All volunteers will need to sign a new waiver, managed by a county employee.
Only items listed in the contract with Keep Texas Beautiful (KTR) — cardboard, aluminum cans, and #1 plastic bottles — will be accepted, and they must be sorted. Items rejected must be returned to customers and not disposed of in facility garbage cans.
Rutherford also emphasized the need for X braces on the west side of the structure to prevent damage during high winds, despite current funding shortages.
Additionally, the Road & Bridge department is tasked with breaking up a concrete slab impeding work at the site to enhance the storage area for baling.
DMWB President Bob Brischetto thanked the Court for Commissioner Rutherford’s liaison role in their recycling efforts.
He explained that after two years of pandemic-related garbage buildup, a community meeting in April 2022 led to the creation of DMWB in November 2022. The organization then collaborated closely with KTR, a statewide non-profit helping rural counties with recycling.
Brischetto highlighted the importance of staffing, leadership buy-in, funding, proper processing, contaminant- free items, and market awareness for successful recycling.
Brischetto noted that volunteers can get burned out and that community cooperation is essential.
He said after legal issues with TxDOT over the name 'Don’t Mess with Bandera,' the organization reincorporated as Don’t Make Waste Bandera. They also focus on roadside clean-ups and assisting elderly and disabled residents with yard trash removal.
DMWB Vice President Janus Olive reported data collected every Saturday at the Mansfield Park Recycling Center. Since reopening, the center has had 4,500 visits, averaging 65-70 visits per Saturday. Most visitors come from precincts 1, 3, and 4, with only 10% from precinct 2 due to its distance.
Olive outlined the collected recyclables: 128 bales of cardboard, #1 plastic bottles, and aluminum cans, generating $6,571.08 in revenue.
She credited the 100% acceptance rate of recyclables to contamination-free operations, despite initial challenges such as community education, equipment issues, and weather conditions.
Olive thanked volunteers and County employees for their dedication and noted that ongoing support is crucial for the program's success.
Brischetto readdressed the court, emphasizing the County’s ownership of the balers and property, and the need for continued funding and support. He mentioned a forthcoming EPA grant of over $700,000 aimed at promoting recycling in rural counties, including Bandera.
Brischetto advocated for expanding recycling efforts beyond the Bandera site and introduced the idea of a “recycle mobile” for precinct 2.
He urged the court to maintain staff support and seek additional funding through grants, such as the Lower Colorado River Grant, to sustain and expand recycling operations.
