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Minutes Salem Recycles – February 4, 2014
Submitted by Susan Yochelson
Present: Nancy Gilberg, Tony Keck, Beth Melillo, Lynn Murray, Julie Rose, Liz Vago, Susan Yochelson, Penny Neal
- Minutes approved from previous meeting (January 7, 2014)
- New Committee Chair: It was approved that effective immediately, Tony Keck will assume the role of Committee Chair.
- March 15 Book Swap - Committee members were asked to publicize the event by posting flyers, sharing on Facebook and inviting friends. Sign-A-Rama will donate a poster for the Rotary Club Community Events sign at the corner of Washington and New Derby Streets. CD’s and video tapes will be collected and recycled through GreenDisk. Display of upcycled items will have before and after signage (explaining “this became this”). To improve flow, committee members will be assigned tasks.
- Media/Publicity – Creating a monthly theme to unify messaging among the different platforms was discussed. It was agreed that we should develop a list of topics or themes several months in advance. In preparation for curbside composting (see #5), it was suggested that the theme for March be composting. Messages would be reviewed and reiterated again in July and December. Susan and Nancy will develop a list of suggested topics. It was also suggested that media platforms include a regular Q & A, i.e., “Ask Salem Recycles.” Send comments about greensalem.com to Flora and Julie. The e-newsletter for Feb will be “Love Your Trash—Recycle Right” and proper pizza box recycling.
- Styrofoam Recycling – It was decided to create a flyer for local supermarkets alerting shoppers about the recycling opportunities at ReFoamIt for #6 foam. Liz and Nancy agreed to edit, Penny will do graphics.
- Curbside Composting Pilot Program – 370 people have indicated an interest in participating. The goal is 1500 before December. We discussed need for educational materials about what can and cannot be composted in the program. Julie will develop FAQ’s and Penny will do the graphics. The following suggestions were made:
- develop information packet for neighborhood associations and garden club to distribute
- create incentives for participating
- place a sticker on each compost bin with phone number of Black Earth to call for questions or if a pick-up is missed.
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6. Library Display – Nancy spoke with the Salem Library about having a display in the month of April. The library agreed to make a display of relevant books and include a few of our materials. It was suggested that we make a poster with a copy of the newsletter; info on how to sign up for the newsletter and info on curbside composting and/or bookmarks with greensalem.com (for all things recycling and re-use).
7. Upcycle Event in June – We have permission to participate in Salem Arts Festival. We don’t need to commit to all three days—could do something for a few hours one afternoon. We need to clarify our message. Liz and Erin are talking about how to proceed.
8. Mandatory Recycling Report – The grant funding the Mandatory Recycling Enforcement Coordinator position will end in December. Jeff has been working with landlords and he has gotten several pizza shops to agree to put informational stickers on boxes which explain how the boxes should be properly recycled. If we notice properties that do not have recycling out with their trash, we should take pictures and send them along with the address to Jeff.
9. Other:
- Upcoming presentations/activites:
- Mayor’s Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Committee Meeting, scheduled for March 12, 2014. Lynn and Nancy offered to attend
- City wide Science Fair, March 13, Bowditch School, ~5-7:30 pm
- Carlton School Science Fair, April 17
Julie and Tony will participate in Councillor Legault’s show on SATV
2. Park & Rec Activites book is being sent out. Julie will include a yard waste calendar and information about the e-newsletter and curbside composting.
3. Facebook: 867 Likes; picture of the pizza stickers (see item #8) was very popular; Nancy will continue to send a monthly summary of postings.
4. E-waste – The program is very expensive--monthly collection will only run through 2014. Considering 4 times per year after that.
5. Mayor Driscoll will be a speaker at the Massachusetts Recycle Conference on April 8
6. Julie is doing a presentation to DEP about how the trash limit is working.
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