HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-30 Solid Waste Advisory Committee MinutesSolid Waste Advisory Committee
September 30, 1996
Berger Room, Reading Town Hall Annex ` V
Members present: Bob Brown, Kay Clark, Jean Krogh, Anne Mark, Lynda
Zarrow, Carol Nelson, Jackie Chipman
Staff present: Ted McIntire
Guests present: Linda King, Bruce MacDonald
Kay Clark called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
Linda King attended the meeting to explain the current situation with East West
Foundation. They are responsible for sending letters regarding the computer
collection, however after many phone calls to Ed Murray the letters have not
been sent. He promised to mail them on October 1. Linda and Jean agreed to
place follow up phone calls every two hours on October 1 to ensure the letters do
get mailed.
Discussion of recycling education and PAYT began with Lynda Zarrow
presenting ideas for reaching a goal weight and a specific percentage of
participation.
Lynda feels that the State goal of recycling 46% by weight may be unrealistic. Bob
` seconded that we shouldn't use the State goal based on comments from a Board
% of Selectmen meeting.
Jean recommended implementing a five year goal, set in increments. The current
Town recycling rate is 11.5%, less composting.
Jackie, Carol, Anne, Jean, Bob and Ted agreed to weigh their garbage and
recyclables for the next six weeks and report back for the November meeting.
With regard to participation, Lynda recommended a goal of 100% participation
by 2002. Kay expressed concern about not setting a goal for reduction, however
Ted pointed out that a goal of that type is not measurable. Ted agreed to provide
Kay with detailed reports so she can determine if there's been a trend over that
past eight years as it pertains to increased disposal during certain times of the
year.
Anne began the topic of "where we are now" with a summary of the 1993 survey.
The committee discussed new ways of conducting the survey.;including
committee members riding with the drivers, having the drivers count the
recycling bins, and having volunteers from the Elder.,Service ride with the trucks
in order to.work for credit against their tax bill. Other options include contacting
the 90 people who originally conducted the survey, and contacting the block
J leaders to determine their level of interest in participating again. Ted will find
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out if people are allowed to accompany the drivers and whether or not Elder
Service would like to get involved.
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Jackie commented that spending so much time and effort finding out where we
are now will cannibalize efforts in other areas including education.
Jean covered the topic of why people don't recycle. As part of her research, she
contacted Cheryl Johnson to see if a table could be set up at the high school on
Election Day, but unfortunately it's too late. She will find out if standing by the
entrance/exit to handout or conduct surveys is also an option.
Jean volunteered to compile answers from the surveyor survey of 1993 on why
they thought people don't recycle. Jean will also draft a survey for use at the
Atlantic table, in addition to determining if the library can be used as a location
to conduct surveys.
Bruce recommended adding a line to the tax bill that states what percentage of
the bill is for trash removal. He recommend this be part of the education
program. He also suggested adding PAYT to the March 1998 ballot. Bruce will
find out the process and length of time required to get this implemented. Bruce
will also talk to Dick Smith, the condominium owners liaison, regarding PAYT
being delayed and what action they will now take.
Carol presented a list of options with regard to education. They were broken
down into several key areas:
seasonal (holiday recycling, spring cleaning, fall yard waste, a New Year's
resolution to recycle, recycling awareness week in October)
schools (mascot, waste watcher buttons, awards, recycling captains,
presentations by sanitation workers, 2-5 minute videos)
public awareness (slogan; door hangers; Atlantic table; booths at events;
recycling at events; Welcome Wagon; messages on RMLD and Reading Co-Op
Bank bills; public service announcements; 2-5 minute video for cable; church and
civic groups for volunteers and newsletters; street signs that say Reading Reuses,
Reduces, Recycles; barometer on the common; sandwich board in two locations;
financial sponsor for promotions.)
Anne suggested using shelf-talkers at the Atlantic that would point out what
percentage of an item was manufactured using recycled material and what items
could be recycled.
Jackie recommended producing items such as t-shirts, tote bags, and recycle
organizers. Bob suggested empowering block leaders by teaching them about
recycling.
The final item for discussion, led by Kay, was how to measure feedback and
' incentives. Kay commented that she likes the idea of converting weight in
recycling into weight we divert from the waste stream, multiplied by $44 per ton
to get a monetary figure as a measurement.
Kay recommended spot checks as a means of both measuring feedback and
rewarding for recycling, especially in neighborhoods where participation was
low in the past.
An incentive to kids to recycle was proposed. It would be similar to a summer
reading program in that they are entered into a raffle after participating a certain
number of times.
The October monthly meeting will cover next year's activities and finalizing the
five year weight goal.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Carol Nelson
F'