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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-05-10 Solid Waste Advisory Committee MinutesSolid Waste Advisory Committee--10 May 1995, Arnold Berger Room Members present:. Bob Brown, Anne Mark, Ted McIntire, Martha Moore, Sally Sabo, Lynda Zarrow Guests: Linda King, Jean Krogh Call to order. 7.30 p.m. The minutes of the April meeting were approved as written. Batteries A handful of button batteries were collected this month. Bob installed backdrops on the collection boxes around town. North Shore Regional Recycling Committee Meeting Anne and Bob went to the April meeting; minutes are attached. Ogden Martin Bob went to a recycling meeting at Ogden Martin, which was primarily for communities with contracts at OM. The topic was how communities can avoid put-or-pay penalties. . Towns can get credit for recycling; if they fall below their contract level, they don't have to pay for the amount they recycle. There will be a plant tour on 5/25 at 10 am. Computer Recycling The committee discussed various ways of collecting computers (holding its own collection, asking a PTO to run it, etc.). Two concerns were raised and discussed: that the committee would be competing with the Technology Committees in the schools, which are asking for computers; and that computers (some of which can be used and some` of which can be cannibalized for parts) would be thrown out if the committee postpones a collection while waiting for the schools to make their requests (some schools are not yet ready to collect equipment). Martha suggested that the schools be given information about the man in Jamaica Plain who can take nonworking computer equipment, so that when they hold their collections, they can pass on to him what they don't need. It was decided that more , research is needed. Linda will find out what equipment the man in Jamaica Plain will take and how much he can take; Lynda will talk to Ruth Clay about doing a collection on the October Household Hazardous Waste Day; and Martha will talk to some of the school Technology Committees. (Martha reported that the Killam principal feels that donated computers would not become town property--because they're a gift, not purchased with town funds--and therefore could be disposed of even if collected by a town-related agency such as SWAC.) ' Eastern Mass Recycling Association (EMRA) meeting Anne and Martha attended this meeting. A MassRecycle representative spoke about REAPS (Recycling Education Assistance for Public Schools), a program run by MassRecycie under a state grant for recycling education in classrooms and assistance in starting public-school recycling. Anne and Martha have contacted Reading teachers who they think would be interested in this program. The MassRecycle representative also spoke about Waste Cap, a business-to-business recycling mentoring program. White Paper Recycling The contract with Laidlaw has been terminated A contract with a new firm will start in June; there will be no charge for storage containers or collection. Library Circulation Box Bob will add several works, including an article on computer recycling and a copy of the EPA report on unit pricing (Pav as You Throw). Recycling Report Card According to Denise Gaffey of DEP, the Reading data came from grant applications. She said the town can submit what it believes to be the correct figures; Ted will do this. Earth Day Exhibits Lynda, Bob, and Anne staffed the SWAC composting demonstration at Strout Ave. They felt this was a successful exhibit; a continuous flow of people stopped by to see the Brave New Composter and to ask questions, and 44 composting brochures were distributed. Bob attended the Earth Day fair at Woburn High, which had about 15 displays: Wood Recycling, Woburn Public Library, BFI, Brave New Composter/Earth Machine, etc. Selectmen's Meeting Bob, Sally, Martha, and Anne attended a Selectmen's meeting for a discussion of Sally's letter concerning the Recycling Report Card. The question of unit pricing for trash collection and disposal came up; the Selectmen were cautiously interested in hearing new developments on this issue since the last time it was discussed. There will be a DEP workshop on unit pricing on May 31. Ted would like to attend. Anne will call to find out about this. The intent is to use information from the workshop as a jumping off point for research on unit pricing. State Grants for Brave New Composters and Recycling Flyer The bins have arrived; the agreement needs to be signed and returned Ted will meet with Ted Cohen (town counsel) and Richard Foley (accountant) to set up the necessary account. Composters can then be sold (in perhaps 2 weeks). Woburn is selling them for $20; Wilmington for $18. Ted, Ruth, and Anne have proofread the flyer. It should be printed and mailed fairly soon after revised proofs are approved. Negotiations with Ogden Martin and RESCO The communities near Saugus are interested in staying with RESCO; 4 communities are interested in moving to Ogden Martin. A major issue under negotation is how to figure Reading's trash tonnage for purposes of the put-or-pay clause. The town would like to figure the minimum/maximum amounts by month, and to have the base tonnage change every year as under the RESCO contract. Apartments/Condos . Ted reports that the town is considering including apartments/condos in trash collection. Environmental Expo Bob and Anne will attend the Environmental Expo in Boston. It was suggested that they look for information on types of recycling programs, materials being recycled, and unit pricing. Prospective New Members for SWAC Jean Krogh has applied for a seat on the committee. Lynda has written a piece for the Reading Notes about the committee. Textiles Bob made a list of textile recycling f inns (2 that have contacted SWAC and 4 that are listed in the Mass Recycling Services Directory). Lynda will send the list and a letter to nonprofit organizations in Reading, in case they want to raise money by holding collections. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. -Anne Mark