‘Across the Fence Post’ Interview: Willie Shanks
Ever wonder where all your waste goes and whether all your efforts to separate out your trash is worth it? We thought it best to go to one of the experts, Willie Shanks (aka Moe Moe), who jokingly calls himself the “Manager of the Rappahannock Refuse and Recycling center” -- and the star of the “Flatwood Chronicles” -- to get the skivvy. You may also learn a thing or two on how COVID has changed our habits during this period, AND some of the more “interesting” finds that have been left at the dump in recent months.
Where does all our Rappahannock waste go?: Well, as you may know, Rappahannock changed waste management contractors in 2020 from Updike to Page County. The Rappahannock County board of supervisors did some research and found they could save money by switching to Page and in investing in 4 new trash compactors that compact the waste on site and lower hauling costs. The county is now saving over $200k a year with this new system. Page County now takes the sorted and compacted Flatwood trash (garbage, cardboard, paper, plastic, glass) – picks it up and brings it to its award-winning Battle Creek landfill.
We take time in separating our trash, does it REALLY get recycled or is it for show?: Actually, it does. Take cardboard, for example, what cannot be recycled is used by landscapers as a weed blocker. Glass is crushed into glassphalt – or fiber glass insulation and distributed by Page. Plastic is sorted by spectrum (1-7) and is also distributed by Page. Plastic bags get collected by the local Lions Club and brought to Trex which turns them into composite decking. Black plastic, that cannot be mixed with clear plastic, is made into black composite parking bumpers, like the ones we now use at the Rappahannock High School. The only thing that does not go to Page is scrap metal. which goes to Wise Recycling in Culpeper, as they pay more per pound. Our neighbors in Amissville use the Page landfill as well.
In what other ways has this new compactor system been an improvement over the old? There used to be such a stench with the open garbage pits: No kidding! I used to start my day by shooing away the bears that somehow kept getting into the garbage. I would then have to clean up their mess.
Have you noticed any changes during the COVID period?: Absolutely! People have been bringing in much more cardboard. I guess people were ordering lots more on-line so we got many more boxes from Amazon and Walmart. AND bottles. More wine, and Scotch bottles…you can definitely tell there was more drinking going on. Things seem to be tapering off now…. Also, there was more socializing. This is a county of 7000. People hadn’t seen each other in months and Flatwood was an outside place people could talk and catch up.
Anything else?: Well there are a number of people who come every other day like clockwork. Especially retired people – this is part of their routine. I count on seeing certain people and when you don’t see them you start getting worried. In fact, I was concerned about a lovely older lady who hadn’t shown up in a while, and I just found out she died of cancer.
What are the most “interesting” things people have brought in?: Well, a sex swing came in last April, Trojan bareskins in a pink little purse (2019 past date so you know someone’s activity has tapered off), mannequins, body parts like prosthetic legs, or cow parts – we have lots of farmers here.
Yes, these have been featured in the now famous Flatwood chronicles, when did you start this and why? They have quite a following!: I guess I am a born entertainer – my teachers at Rappahannock high school always told me I should have gone into radio. I started posting announcements about the center’s closing times on Instagram in February 2021 (Instagram #moemoejames and on RappNet) and found it was also a good way to provide recycling tips as well -- like pizza boxes don’t go in cardboard (grease makes them undesirable for recycling), and please, rinse out your glass and plastic containers!
Now, we’re done with the “rubbish”, tell me more about yourself?: Well, I am a 4th gen Rappahannock resident. My first job was with builder, LG Zindel and worked building homes for over 20 years. I was lucky enough that I didn’t have to leave the county – building custom homes kept me here.
What would you consider your greatest building accomplishment?: “Building my own house from the ground up” in 2003.
What about your family?: I have 3 kids – one daughter, Camden, a junior in Rappahannock high school -a real artist, and two older boys…and an ex-wife who lives in Warrenton.
I see you are very involved in the Rappahannock community in other ways, tell us about it.: I do a lot just to help out the community, no matter who they are. As long as it is a good cause, I’m down to help out. I like to help the community fundraise for good causes – which is how I got invited to do the tickets sales at the Christmas fair this year.
How can the community support your work?: Be better about recycling! It makes us look better as a county.
What should the community do to keep or attract young people to Rappahannock (including your own children)? : We should provide technical training (like plumbing etc) in addition to what the school is providing. Kids need more options on career paths otherwise they will leave.
Last thoughts?: I’ve never met a stranger, and I can talk to anybody. I don’t care what kind of hat you wear…
Want to learn more? Readers can follow Moe Moe’s Instagram feed here.
