Until it is ready to roll out a full-scale recycling program, the Patagonia Recycling Task Force will sponsor periodic recycling events beginning with a collection of household recyclables from 10a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 5 behind the Patagonia Post Office. 

From 10a.m. until noon, or until the trucks are full, volunteers will collect and transport the recycled materials to recycling centers in either Tucson or Nogales. Those who wish to take advantage of this event should separate their recyclables into three categories: aluminum cans (soda and beer); steel cans (soup, tuna, etc.); and all other recyclables such as paper, cardboard, glass, milk cartons, and plastic.

All items should be clean and dry before bringing them to this event. Bottle caps are acceptable only if secured on the container. No plastic bags, Styrofoam or bubble wrap will be accepted. Volunteers will also collect cash donations to help defray the costs. 

The task force will also make “The Story of Plastic” documentary available for showing to small groups at the Tin Shed Theater on Friday night, Dec. 11, and throughout the day on Saturday, Dec. 12. The film is a visually rich testament to the global plastics pollution crisis, and a call to action.

The film will be screened for groups of up to ten people who must all wear masks and sit at least six feet apart. Task force volunteers will ventilate and disinfect the theater between all showings.

The running time for the film is about an hour and a half. Friday evening screenings will be offered at 5:00 and 7:00. Saturday screenings will be available every two hours throughout the day beginning at 9:00 a.m. The last showing will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Reservations will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis. Larger groups of up to ten people are encouraged, so that more people can see the film. To respect a group’s pandemic precautions, individuals will not be added to a scheduled group. 

“The Story of Plastic” is also available through the DiscoveryGo streaming service, for rent on Amazon ($2.99), on Apple TV, and on Xfinity video-on-demand.

To reserve a screening time, please email task force co-chair Robin Kulibert at crobint60@gmail.com. Kulibert may also be contacted for more information about the Dec. 5 recycling event.