HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-09 Solid Waste Advisory Committee MinutesSolid Waste Advisory Committee
October 9, 1996
Present: Bob Brown, Kay Clark, Jean Krogh, Anne Mark, Carol Nelson, Lynda Zarrow; Jackie
Chipman present for first 15 minutes. Staff present: Ted McIntire.
Kay Clark called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Jackie gave a quick report, since she had to
leave for another meeting. She had spoken to Paul.Duffy, manager at the Atlantic Market, about
our having a table there and passing out a survey. Jackie is drafting a letter to Arnold Rubin at
the Atlantic about our request. Jackie also showed a curriculum from the EPA; Anne said the
Dept. of Environmental Protection also has a curriculum and that DEP and Mass Recycle offer a
joint educational program for public schools. Lynda said one of the Killam School teachers is
very open to our presenting a program to her class.
Anne moved, and Lynda seconded, that the September 11th minutes be approved as amended. All
voted aye. Jean moved, and Anne seconded, that the September 306, minutes be approved; the
vote in favor was unanimous.
Letters from East/West Foundation were finally mailed. People will need to determine the value.,
of their own donations for tax purposes.
Discussion of compost bin survey. Ted McIntire said that most, if not all, of the compost bins
have been sold. Lynda will contact Ann McGovern about the survey and will organize a survey
mailing for January.
Status of landfill capping. Peter Heckenbleikner has awarded a $140,000 contract to Camp
Dresser McKee, a Cambridge-based engineering consulting firm. This firm will investigate
Reading's landfill site, submit status reports to DEP, and evaluate alternatives, including landfill
mining. The landfill must be capped by 11/1/99. If no developer is interested in the site, the town
will have to pay for capping. The type of closure depends on how the land will be used.
Drop-off for recyclables. The committee discussed the possibility of finding a site in Reading
for a roll-off container for a drop-off recycling center. The site would need to be a frequently
trafficked place, such as the new Osco's parking lot or the Atlantic parking lot area. Perhaps we
could approach the Downtown Steering Committee and/or the Chamber of Commerce about
identifying and developing a site. A drop-off recycling site would especially benefit apartment-
and condo-dwellers. Ted said the town would pay for a roll-off and that we could revise our
contract with our recycling hauler. Anne suggested we find out when Brooks is relocating and
when Osco's is moving into the old (,erretani's lot. Carol and Jean are a subcommittee of two to
look into the possibility of a drop-off site (including getting estimates of roll-off rental costs).
Discussion of SWAC's educational campaign. What is this campaign about? 1) We want to
see a reduction in trash and an increase in recycling by informing the town of trash costs and the
benefits of recycling. 2) We will educate the town pn trash issues.
The Select Board asked us to come up with measurablq 49M.. Qur Q~~s: 1QQ~q R
households participating in recycling. (We guesstimate that we are now at 60yo.)'
2) By June 30, 2000, 25% by weight of Reading's waste stream will be recycled (50%, including
compost; we aim to surpass the state goal of 46%). We will revisit these figures at our November
meeting, after we weigh our trash and recyclables. Currently 11% of our waste stream is recycled
F,
in red bins.
We then brainstormed about steps to take and things to do to get our message across: Signs on
the Common and other places around town; hand out survey on Election Dav and have a full
recycle bin on display; table at the Atlantic with survey and educational materials; coordinate a
paint swap, working with Hazardous Waste Committee (Lynda volunteered to explore this
further); notices in store fronts; work with schools; seasonal educational activities; include
trash/recycling blurbs in RMLD bills and Reading Coop. Bank statements; public service
announcements on radio; booths at town events and football games; incentive programs (get
financial sponsors for premiums, prizes, T-shirts, tote bags); block leaders; educational
brochures; hand out survey at the library.
Lynda, Anne, and Jean are on a subcommittee to coordinate SWAC Election Day activities.
It was suggested that a first push in our campaign might be to make people more aware of what
they can now recycle and how to prepare items. It was also suggested that in the spring we might
focus on brochures, working with the schools, and creating children's programs. If we start
focusing on seasonal activities next spring, we could emphasize reduction of trash at that time.
Discussion on the substance of our campaign and actions to take will continue.
Bob will talk to Peter H. about getting on Select Board agenda in January.
We talked about how best to determine Reading's current rate of recycling participation. Ted
suggested that the best way would be for someone to follow the recycling truck for 20 days,
perhaps in a town vehicle. Waste Management would pay for gasoline for the vehicle following
the truck. Ted is trying to figure out the best way to plan this.
Status of disposal bids, Reports and Comments, and Information on Upcoming Events
were all discussed very briefly if at all, as the hour was getting late.
Kay reported on her research on whether recycling in Reading is mandatory. It appears that it is
not mandatory. SWAC members decided not to recommend mandatory recycling, since
enforcement is difficult.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:03 p.m.
Submitted by Jean Krogh