Pahrump's recycling program will be expanded now that the Pahrump Town Board has approved looking deeper into implementing a town-wide program in conjunction with Pahrump Valley Disposal.

After months of touring various communities and recycling facilities, Damon Shea, general manager of Pahrump Valley Disposal, presented the board with three of the most feasible options for bringing recycling to Pahrump.

The board ultimately decided on using an system that ensures total cooperation from town residents with a minimal amount of effort from them.

The system utilizes a materials recovery facility (MRF, or "Murph") that would include all the trash PVD already picks up.

Sorters would then pick out recyclable materials which will be sorted, baled, and shipped out to end-users.

"It appears that the 'dirty murph' is the most cost-effective," Vice Chairman John McDonald said, pointing out that there was no need for additional vehicles or containers for customers.

Board Member Dan Sprouse agreed, adding that he liked the fact the program guaranteed the entire town would participate in recycling.

Dan Stevens, a local resident, was not convinced.

"This sounds like more of scam ... to raise our garbage bill," Stevens said. "What's the matter with you people around here? I'm just trying to look out for the senior citizens around here and keep our bills down."

Charlie Anzalone, another concerned citizen, also questioned whether or not Pahrump Valley Disposal would gain any profit from the program.

Shea answered the residents' concerns and explained the price of recyclable waste fluctuates, so there was no guaranteed profit for PVD, and at sometimes it could even lose money.

"At times you can make money, at times the trucking offsets that, so really you pretty much break even," Shea explained.

David Swanson, chairman of the Nuclear Waste and Environmental Advisory Board, advocated the idea.

"Recycling is a nationally recognized lifestyle," Swanson said, pointing out that many new residents often expressed surprise there was no recycling program in place.

McDonald responded to Stevens by pointing out that although there would be a small charge to customers for the recycling, ultimately it would conserve the life of the landfill, thus saving the town a lot of money in the future.

"There is a certain modest extra charge that is proposed," McDonald conceded. "However, there is an offset to that, that recycling greatly extends the life of the landfill and reduces the pressure in the end to rush and build a new landfill elsewhere. And building a landfill is a very expensive project."

Shea said Pahrump Valley Disposal would look into fine-tuning the plan and assessing exact costs and return to present the findings to the board at a future date.