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Recycling Committee Minutes 08/05/2014
Salem Recycles Minutes
August 5, 2014. 7:00pm.
Attendance: Nancy Gilberg, Lynn Murrary, Flora Tonthat, Julie Rose, Erin Huggard, Beth Melillo, Liz Vago Guest: Geri Yuhas

New Business:
  • Minutes from June are approved.
  • The National Recycling Coalition's (NRC) annual conference and awards ceremony is coming up in November.  As SalemRecycles is not a member of this, the committee will seek to be nominated for the MassRecycle award this year and the NRC award next year.  Lynn and Julie will pull together an application, but will need to keep track of everything we’ve done and have a chronological account.  This should also be posted on Salem.com  in the future.
  • Textiles Drive is coming up November 22nd.  Prior to this date a police detail should be secured.  As the date approaches more discussion should occur around how we will be able to moderate traffic flow and ensure safety of participants.  Flyer should be posted for this soon.
  • September 20, Book Swap. Based on our most recent book swap and the volume of participants a sub committee was formed to discuss how to manage crowds and running books from the intake table to the floor.  This will be finalized within the next few weeks.  Subcommittee members: Lynn M, Marcia L, Nancy G, Erin H.
  • For both the Book Swap and Textile Drive discussion of alternate advertising methods.  Julie Rose to price lawn signs and see how much they cost.  This could be a good way to build more awareness of Salem Recycles and events.  What would be the best event to advertise?
  • Permaculture at New Senior Center – Flora T. still researching possible options.  
  • Other: Mayor Driscoll is interested in Terracycle cigarette butt program.  More research will need to be conducted on the logistics and details of this possibility.
Old Business

  • Farmers Market: July 31st market successful, set up was at 2:30 across from the live music stand and gave away all 15 toters by 6pm.   Will have presence at August 14, and will ask for another booth at August 28th Farmers Market.  Need volunteers to attend Farmers Market.  Will bring 30 toters next time.  Other discussion: Bring rocks to weigh down information next time, find a way to successfully connect to internet in order to register via greensalem.  Promote SalemRecycles Facebook page, and GreenSalem.com at the Farmers Market.  Consider printing business size cards with the greensalem information on them to give away.
DropBox – if you have pictures please add them, as well as label them so that they are easily found.
Partnering with Beverly for a Swap and Drop.  Nancy G is working on this.  Tentative dates for late summer, early fall, possibly in mid-October.
  • ReFoam It – The monthly  foam recycling event is still taking place in Peabody . SalemRecycles would like to promote the event more and the Salem Chamber of Commerce would be a good platform to use for this event.
Debrief on recent events  
  • Upcycle at Salem Arts: Very successful, was featured on Creative Salem, and kids and parents both had a good time.  The Salem Arts Festival would be a good place for SalemRecycles to continue with a presence.  If repeated a different craft should be provided as this one was very volunteer intensive, messy, and required overly many steps for the venue.
  • Volunteer Appreciation event: Volunteers really appreciated this event.  Very low waste was generated at his event due to composting and recycling, which could be mentioned in newsletter.  Discussion that this should be a yearly event.  Consider a way to more accurately capture RSVPs in the future so food accurately represents attendance.
  • Social Media and Correspondence
  • Facebook: 962 Likes on Facebook. PLEASE Share the events with friends if you are on facebook and invite people as well.
  • Constant Contact: Liz and Susan are in the process of transitioning the newsletter.  Discussed possibly August topics. We are at 500+ distribution list.  We would like to push this to 2500.  Will need to brainstorm ways to increase our distribution list.
  • GreenSalem.com – Stats were not updated during this month, Flora Tonthat will look into this.
  • Themes: August: Back to School. September: Dual Stream (can’t emphasize this enough). October: Upcycling and Costumes.
  • Blog: Beth M. mentions that she needs more help coming up with posts and getting posts up on GreenSalem, but will try for once per month.
  • Curbside Composting Update:
  • We are at 720 Households! 85% of Households set out their toters each week with about 10 pounds of compost each week (which is approximately 6 gallons).  SalemRecycles would like to see the amount of compost increased in each toter (perhaps through partnering with neighbors) and then the number of participants increased through more outreach.  Provide information about other things that can go in toters such as flowers (deadheading)
  • Mandatory Recycling Updates: Position will go until next June. Nothing new to report.
  • Other Business:
  • October Parade: Discussed costumes for the parade.  Suggestion: Dress at Pizza boxes and bring back the toter drill team.
  • Presence at Heritage Days next year:  How so?
Meeting closed at 8:00.
Next Meeting September 2, 2014 at 6:30pm.