14 Apr 35 & FORWARD: Teton County Celebrates 35 Years of Community Recycling
Mark your calendars for Fall’s ‘Zero Waste Week’
Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling is celebrating a major milestone in 2025: 35 years of community recycling in Jackson Hole.
What began as a grassroots nonprofit in 1990 has grown into a robust county program and a community-wide commitment to sustainability.
To mark the occasion, ISWR has launched a new campaign, 35 & Forward: Celebrating 35 Years of Community Recycling in Jackson Hole. The yearlong initiative will include family-friendly events, new initiatives and educational outreach — all building toward Zero Waste Week this fall, a celebration of local waste reduction, sustainability and innovation.
“This community has been leading the way on eco-friendly living and sustainability for decades, and we’re excited to celebrate that legacy,” said Becky Kiefer, ISWR superintendent. “And we’re also focused on the future. During our 35th anniversary year, we are honoring the past while aiming to inspire our community to continue making progress on the Road to Zero Waste. Reducing, reusing, recycling and composting are some of the easiest steps everyone can take today to protect Jackson Hole’s ecosystem and help us remain sustainable into the future.”
As part of the anniversary campaign, ISWR is encouraging the community to help “move the needle” by aiming for 35% waste diversion in the 35th year — a key step toward Teton County’s goal of 60% diversion by 2030.
SAVE THE DATES – Zero Waste Week, October 2025
Zero Waste Week, October 12 to 18, will feature a variety of interactive and educational events designed to help residents and businesses celebrate the community’s achievements to date, and gain inspiration to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost more effectively. The celebration will culminate in a special Zero Waste Fest day on Friday, October 17.
Events include:
- A 35th anniversary reception and keynote address featuring renowned sustainability expert and Pulitzer-winning journalist Edward Humes — happening the evening of Friday, October 17;
- A no-school-Friday treat: A special, free screening of WALL-E, Pixar’s heartwarming animated tale of a trash-compacting robot with a big heart and a mission to clean up the planet, also on Friday, October 17;
- A Recycled Art Contest for all ages;
- Launch of Willow, the Waste Wizard, a new user-friendly chatbot tool to help answer your questions about recycling in Jackson Hole.
- New 50%-off pricing for ISWR’s commercial Curb to Compost food scrap collection program, available to local businesses and restaurants;
- A Recycling Center Open House with facility tours, touch-a-truck and looks behind-the-scenes of Teton County’s recycling operations. The open house will kick off Zero Waste Week on Sunday, Oct. 12, from noon to 4 p.m.
- Initiation of the Town of Jackson’s new Pay-As-You-Throw program on Aug. 1, 2025, aimed at encouraging reduction of waste being trucked to the landfill in Idaho, and rewarding those who reduce, reuse, recycle and compost.
- Tips and tools to help improve recycling and composting habits at home and work.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned to ISWR for more updates on Facebook, Instagram, TetonCountyWy.gov/Recycle and RoadToZeroWasteJH.org.