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SHERBORN RECYCLING COMMITTEE

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008

The 215^th meeting of the Recycling Committee was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.

Present: Carol Rubenstein (chair), Andrea Brennan, Ron Buckler, Karl Ludwig, and Jennifer Stone.

Not Present:  Ardys Flavelle, Susan Higley, Jack Mulhall, Susan Peirce, Jane Pusch and Peggy Weber.

I.       Minutes of the January Meeting were approved.

            Thank you’s:

·        Ardys for her great Enviro-Tips to Pine Hill.  We hope that they will become part of our (soon!) forthcoming website.

·        Ardys and Jane for their investigation of the Dover Recycling Committee’s inclination to institute single-stream recycling at the Regional Schools

·        Jane Pusch for her work on the Natick Collection Recycling Initiative

·        Jennifer for her work at the Middle School 

·        Ron for writing the January minutes

·        Andrea for her continuing work on the welcome bins

II .Announcements, Old and New Business

1. Carol announced that Jennifer Stone has now been sworn in as our newest member of the Recycling Committee.
2. Carol discussed her recent calculations of the Town’s recycling for this year’s DEP Recycling Data Sheet.  For CY07, we disposed of 100 tons less trash than in CY06 (1765.61 vs. 1871.60).  We also recycled more paper and commingled materials than in CY06 – up from 812.7 to 935.98.  The tonnage for scrap metal, books and textiles was all down.  Overall, this is very good news.
3. The Committee discussed its budget request for the purchase of reusable water bottles.  The CSA has recently found a very good stainless steel water bottle which they will sell at Pine Hill.  Given CSA’s plans, the Committee discussed its role in making such containers available to the wider community.  After some consideration, it was decided to keep the request in the budget since CSA currently plans to sell only 40 containers.
4. The need and cost for future capital budget items was discussed.  The Director of CM&D, Gary Kellaher, estimates that the cost of driveway reclamation at the Recycling Center would be approximately $40,000.  We will ask for this to be undertaken in FY11.  Gary also confirmed that the yellow garage will be completely emptied when the new CM&D garage is completed.  The Committee discussed the possibility of using the building as an annex for the swap shop.  Ron will check on the cost of using a spray-on sealing compound to keep out moisture.  A floor would also be needed to keep out rodents.  In addition the Center needs a new compactor, at an estimated cost of approximately $15,000.  It is assumed that these expenses would be incurred in FY10.
5. Carol notified the Committee that we are a semi-finalist for a DEP postcard award and that we need to complete and submit the customization form by Feb. 15.
6. The Committee discussed clothing collection at the Recycling Center.  Carol has just found a company, Bay State Textiles, that will pay $50 per ton, whereas Kiducation has been paying only $20 per ton.  She has talked with the operator of Bay State Textiles, Paul Curry, and two of his customers for several years – the Towns of Randolph and Marshfield.  Both are very satisfied.  It was agreed that we would look into what other philanthropic activities our funds go to when using Kiducation.  Jennifer volunteered to check the Community Crusade for Children website.
7. Based upon email from Chris Peck, Carol explained that she believes we have $3,000 remaining in our construction fund for the new Recycling Center shelter.
8. Ardys discussed the use of budgeted funds to invite a recycling speaker to Pine Hill or to speak to the larger Town community.  There is $800 available to invite someone to speak – perhaps on the next America Recycles Day, Earth Day or on Library Day.
9. Ardys and Jane discussed their contacts with the Dover Recycling Committee.  The Dover Committee is trying to get single-stream recycling instituted at the Regional Schools.  Interestingly, Dover is not getting money for their recycled paper and commingled materials, but is instead paying to send them to Wellesley.  The Committee discussed the possibility of meeting with their Dover counterparts, perhaps at a joint coffee or by taking a joint tour of Integrated Paper.
10. Carol discussed the situation with the Recycling website.  Dianne has been too busy to make further progress.
11. Tonnage report:

      In January –

                  Refuse: 14 trips to Millbury – tonnage is down.

                  Paper: 6 trips – 1 less than last month and tonnage is down.

                  Commingled: 4 trips – 1 less than last month and tonnage is down.

                  Overall recycling rate is 31.5% this month, down from 33.3% last month.

• Please call Carol  (508-653-8794)  if you are going to be  absent from a meeting

• Recruit new members 

Next Meeting – March 12 at 7:30 at the Town Hall.           Future meetings: Apr. 9, May 14, June 11, Aug. 13.

Recent Recycling Center statistics:

Respectfully Submitted,

Karl Ludwig – Secretary for February 2008