Sherborn Recycling: Changing the World One Community at a Time....

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SHERBORN RECYCLING COMMITTEE

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007

 The 210^th meeting of the Recycling Committee was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

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

Not Present:  Susan Higley, Jack Mulhall, Susan Peirce, and Peggy Weber.

I.        Minutes of the August Meeting were approved.

            Thank you’s:

·         Andrea, Ardys and Amy Moore for their work at the Swap Shop

·         Sue Peirce, Andrea and Wendy Mechaber for helping with HHW day

·         Jane Pusch for attending the Board of Selectmen meeting with Carol on Sept. 6 and for all of her work on the Natick Mall Recycling Initiative

·         Jack Mulhall for making the recycling spreadsheet for FY2008

·         Karl for writing the August minutes

·         Andrea for her work on the welcome bins

II .Announcements, Old and New Business

1. The Committee noted sadly the passing of David Freeman, the husband of former Committee member Marjie Freeman, and expressed their condolences.
2. Carol reported that the HHW day was unusually lightly attended.
3. Based upon recent experiences, and with input from other members, Carol has updated the Committee’s letter on recycling at parties.  She made a press release to highlight the issue.
4. Carol informed the Committee that she has ordered 300 recycling bins as per the Board of Selectmen meeting on Sept. 6.  In accord with our previous vote, the Recycling Committee budget will pay for 100 of the bins, 50 of which will be donated to the Fall Clean-up.
5. Carol noted that she has submitted an application to the DEP for postcard mailing and a “toolkit” of information.  In addition the Board of Selectmen has supported the Town of Natick’s DEP application for technical assistance to implement recycling at the Natick Collection.  Jane Pusch has played a major role in getting this going.
6. Since Jane Pusch has been playing an instrumental role in promoting recycling at the Natick Collection, the Board of Selectmen has appointed her an Associate Member of the Recycling Committee.
7. The Committee discussed NiCd battery recycling.  The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), who had previously recycled NiCd batteries for us, will be taking them again.  A box will be placed at the Recycling Center for their collection.
8. For the disposal/recycling of refrigerators, air conditioners and dehumidifiers, the Committee discussed the choices available.   CRTR Inc. has been taking refrigerators for $7 and air conditioners and dehumidifiers for $6, American Waste Brokers is offering to remove the Freon for free and then put the bodies in scrap metal.  Also CRTR charges us $.0015 per pound for CRT's, and Electronic Recyclers International has just negotiated a state contract price of $0.08 per pound.  Carol will get references for them, and will also ask CTR if they can reduce their price.
9. Carol announced that TriCounty has committed to building the new shed at the Recycling Center but needs updated plans for the 20’ x 8’ configuration.
10. Carol noted that Dianne Veitch has begun working on the recycling website.
11. The Committee discussed how to streamline implementation of the welcome bin program.  One possibility would be for real estate agents to hand out the welcome bins and information.  The Committee considered the possibility of including refrigerator-door magnets promoting with the bins.
12. VOTE: The Committee voted to spend up to $500 on magnets promoting recycling with the intention that approximately 500 would be used for Pine Hill students and another 100 for welcome bins.
13. Ardys discussed her recent recycling efforts at Pine Hill.  She has met with the Board of the CSA and they are supportive, but have not appointed a recycling subcommittee.
14. The Committee discussed the status of the GotBooks program.  A check will be sent to the CSA treasurer for the money earned through the program.  The payment options for future consideration are either to receive $0.05/lb or to get $0 for less than one ton at pickup, $50/ton for less than two tons at pickup and $100/ton for more than two tons at pickup.
15. VOTE: The Committee voted to change our GotBooks payment schedule to a rate of $0.05/lb.
16. Tonnage report:

      In August –

                  Refuse: 13 trips to Millbury, the same as July and tonnage is up a bit.

                  Paper: 8 trips, the same as last month and tonnage is a bit higher. 

                  Commingled: 5 trips, 2 more than last month and tonnage is up.

                  Overall recycling rate is much better than last month.

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

• Recruit new members 

Next Meeting – Oct. 10, at 7:30 at the Town Hall.          

Future meetings: Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Feb. 13, Mar. 12, Apr. 9, May 14, June 11, Aug. 13.

Recent Recycling Center statistics:

Respectfully Submitted,

Karl Ludwig – Secretary for September 2007