Clark’s Disposal owner Farrell Clark on Jan. 10.

Amid community concerns, Clark’s Disposal owner Farrell Clark said the facility indeed still accepts aluminum, steel and tin pet food cans for recycling.

According to a volunteer from a local nonprofit, Clark’s no longer recycles the pet food cans and dumps them in with the trash. Recycling the cans is vital for nonprofit, the volunteer explained. The organization ended up taking its recycling to Portland recently.

Clark said, however, the state Department of Environmental Quality regulates the recycling process at the transfer station.

According to Clark, the company operates under a state solid waste permit held by Grant County and must have approval from DEQ before the company can change its list of accepted recyclables.

In addition to aluminum, steel and tin, Clark said the facility accepts iron, white goods (washers, dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators), mixed newspapers and magazines, used motor oil and e-waste.

Clark added he submits an annual report to DEQ.

“It is all a matter of public record, “ Clark said.

Clark said, not only is the business required to accept tin and aluminum, it also earns revenue when it recycles the materials.

“We would not be in business if we decided to stop taking aluminum and tin scrap metal,” Clark explained.

Clark said, if there were instances where valid materials were not accepted for recycling, he would like to know about it. Contact Clark’s Disposal at 541-575-0432.