Green genes

The supply couldn't keep up with the demand according to organizer Jackie Hausmann.

"When planning these events, naturally, we use experience from previous years to organize," Hausmann said. "Unfortunately, we were caught off guard with the extremely large turnout compared to last year."

The biggest indicator of their unpreparedness occurred when free recycle bins ran out by 1 p.m.

"Two hundred recycle bins were given out to the citizens of Columbia," Hausmann said. "Last year the city gave away 80 free recycle bins."

Normally, these bins cost $5 apiece, with an additional $3 for the lids. Even though they were free, it's hard to come up with an explanation for the 150 percent increase.

"I think people are becoming more environmentally conscious," Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson said. "The turnout just reinforces that fact."

The bins weren't the only success story, as Reliable Sanitation filled 3 roll-away dumpsters, one recycle truck and one trash truck.

"I believe the three roll-off dumpsters and recycle truck were overflowing within the first two to three hours of the event," Hausmann said. "Last year we had two roll-off dumpsters, one trash and one recycle truck."

Nice Twice, the Waterloo-based consignment store, received three times the amount of goods they got last year, filling two large U-Haul trucks, five pick-up trucks and four flat beds.

"Nice Twice and Camp Wartburg (who also accepted donations) were so grateful for the donations, but they were starting to worry about where they were going to store all of the items," Hausmann said.

St. Louis-based Web Innovation Technologies also made an appearance, accepting twice the amount of electronic goods they did last year. The business filled one tractor trailer and three large tandem trucks with computers, TV's, lawn mowers, electronics and metal items.

"Their collection did not fill one tractor last year," Hausmann said.

So how does Columbia top that for 2009?

"We've learned a few things from this event and will discuss what can be done to make it even better next year," Hausmann said.