Lions Clubs recycling effort helps everybody

Special to the Green Valley News

Two local Lions Clubs have been recycling for 32 years, turning profits into community service projects — and the work goes on six days every week.

Open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., 12 shifts of Lions Club volunteers and non-club volunteers accept a variety of recyclable products sending them up a long chute into a trailer for transport to Tucson.

The world’s largest secular service organization has 1.4 million members in 44,500 clubs in 203 countries. Founded in 1917 by Chicago businessman Melvin Jones, his credo was, “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else.”

Wally Leibengood said it’s a joint effort of the Green Valley and La Canoa Lions Clubs to operate the Lewis-Brown Lions Recycling Center. It’s been at adjacent to the Joyner-Green Valley Library for 20 years.

“As a non-profit group, Lions Clubs are required to return proceeds to the community. Operating expenses are deducted; then the proceeds go to community service,” Leibengood said.

Bob Venuti said during an average year collections generate from 450 to 600 tons of paper products resulting in revenue between $40,000 to $60,000, which is contributed to local charities and community service projects.

“All of the labor for the recycling is volunteered and no one receives wages...,” Venuti said.

“Most of the paper from the Lions bin is not made into new paper but is pulverized and fireproofed and made into blown insulation for construction. This brings premium prices.”

“A saying Lions like to relate is, ‘If you want to contribute to charity without spending a dime, bring your papers, magazines, catalogs and aluminum cans to the Lions recycling station,’” Venuti added.

Acceptable recyclable items include aluminum cans, catalogs, mail and business paper, magazines, moving cartons, newspapers, paper grocery bags, paperback books, plastic grocery bags and phone books with covers removed.

The Lions also accept eyeglasses, including lenses and frames, plus cell phones with batteries, hearing aids with batteries and ink cartridges.

No plastic other than the grocery bags are accepted nor are appliance or flashlight batteries, hard bound books, shredded paper, bubble mailers or bottles or glass.

The lease with Pima County requires the site to be maintained. Recently the entire surface got a much-needed paving and sealing giving the recycling site a well-cared-for look.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.