The Pitkin County Solid Waste Center and its Motherlode Mercantile shop were involved in a collaborative project where 126 bikes, bike parts, and wheels were donated to the nonprofit, NavajoYES. NavajoYES’ Dine’ Bike Project provides bikes to local families, schools, and communities on the Navajo Nation as a means of surrounding communities with an “infrastructure of wellness,” according to the press release. The collection of bikes and bike parts has been ongoing since 2021 when Aspen local Emily Marshall jump-started the effort, one which also includes the involvement of the Carbondale Bike Project.
“It takes a community to facilitate every aspect of the process from collection, maintenance and upkeep, to drop-off. This partnership is a powerful example of the potential of community organizations working together to create impactful initiatives.” she said.
The Pitkin County Solid Waste Center donated bikes dropped off at the Motherlode Mercantile, a shop which was developed by the county to reuse items to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, save energy, and reduce waste that would otherwise take space in the landfill. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Dine’ Bike Project and the Carbondale Bike Project to support the missions of these organizations and find new homes for bikes that might have otherwise ended up in landfills or scrap metal piles,” said Natalie Trecker, Motherlode Mercantile supervisor.