 It all started when sculptor Rebecca Tuck began collecting debris. This sparked her passion for environmental protection. She will share about her transformative personal journey from creator to activist on October 9th at 7pm in the Wakelin Room at the Wellesley Free Library.
From picking up the traces of human made pollution, to the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Rebecca's jouney will inspire you. This gifted artist -- and now change agent -- will encourage you to explore your own potential for personal change and offer ways your individual actions can have an impact on our shared environment. This talk is not just a narrative, it's an invitation for you to explore your own potential for positive change. The event is free and is co-sponsored with Sustainable Wellesley and Art Wellesley. Please register in advance here.  Looking for a volunteer opportunity that has a direct impact? Town wide volunteers like you will be managing the recycling stations at this year's Wellesley Wonderful Weekend Picnic.
The first 10 volunteers that respond to this call to action will get a $10 gift certificates from Truly's Yogurt. Ask a family member, neighbor, or friend and give a helping hand sometime between 4-7pm this Sunday. RSVP at [email protected]. THANKS!  The Town of Wellesley seeks a part-time Waste Reduction Coordinator (up to 19 hours/week) to
coordinate waste reduction for Town of Wellesley buildings and potentially coordinate waste reduction in other contexts, depending on Town needs and time availability, to include Wellesley Public Schools and other educational institutions, Town-led programs, and Town sponsored events. The incumbent will build on existing and new pilot programs to develop and implement standardized waste reduction programs across the Town. The work requires a strong understanding of the recycling and solid waste industry, strong project management and problem-solving skills, experience leading teams and working with a variety of stakeholders and excellent communication skills. The incumbent works with minimal supervision and must be able to effectively collaborate and build consensus among stakeholders. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in a field related to environmental studies, public policy, economics, engineering, education, or science; strong understanding of the recycling and solid waste industry; strong project management and problem-solving skills; experience leading teams and working with a variety of stakeholders; excellent written and verbal communication; ability to work independently and prioritize projects; ability to effectively collaborate and build consensus among stakeholders; proficient with computers and computer software. Preferred: non-profit or government experience; public speaking and presentation skills; valid driver’s license and regular access to a car; experience with graphic design; and experience putting together surveys and reports. The salary range is between $30 - $40 per hour depending upon qualifications. Flexible schedule available up to 19 hours per week. To apply, please submit a resume and a cover letter or a Town of Wellesley application to the Human Resources Department, Town Hall, 525 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482 or e-mail as a Word or PDF document to [email protected] by Monday, May 13, 2024. AA/EOE  Awareness Campaigns Emphasize Weatherization, Electrification of Home Heating and Cooling, and Sustainable Transportation
The state of Massachusetts and the town of Wellesley have a shared vision for combating climate change. Both recently launched campaigns aimed at empowering individuals through specific actions. The state of Massachusetts’ "Climate Action for All of Us" and the Town of Wellesley’s "Be Part of It!" campaigns recommend these actions:
 For their Silver Award, Wellesley Girl Scouts Elise McDonough, Hadley Grover, and Vivi Dublin worked with Wellesley's Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF) to create this information pamphlet to pass out to new families moving into town, informing them of all that the RDF offers.
"We wanted to create awareness of the benefits of recycling in our town," the Scouts said. "The RDF takes our recycled items and sells them, making money that they give back to our community. Wellesley also has a Reusables Area, known as the 'Give and Take' area. Here you can drop off items in good condition, and then other residents can then take them, for free. All of these efforts reduces landfill," the Scouts said. Kudos to these students for making this 'Creating Simple Steps for a Greener Life' pamphlet that realtors can hand out to new homeowners. They are obviously proud to show off the benefits of recycling and using our town’s RDF. Although the pamphlet is targeted to new and existing residents, they also want folks to know that any Wellesley business with surplus cardboard and plastic, should bring it to the RDF as well as it is very valuable to Wellesley. Please share this and use it, so that we can keep things out of landfill. Thank you to Elise, Hadley Grover, and Vivi.  Thank you to Recyclingworks for this information from their website. RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts is a recycling assistance program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and delivered under contract by the Center for EcoTechnology that helps businesses and institutions reduce waste and maximize recycling, reuse, and food recovery opportunities.
Johnny’s Luncheonette, an iconic Newton diner with robust recycling and food waste diversion programs, continues to push the envelope in sustainability. The diner now offers a reusable takeout container program! Customers who choose to join the program can order menu items for takeout in containers that won’t end up in any waste, recycling, or composting bins, but rather be returned, thoroughly sanitized, and re-used in a continuous cycle. Through a collaboration with Recirclable, Johnny’s Luncheonette now provides a selection of its breakfast and lunch menu items in easily recognizable green-hued reusable to-go containers. The containers are manufactured by Preserve and Ozzi, and are composed of readily available and recyclable BPA-free polypropylene (#5 Plastic). These containers can be used up to 1,000 times, and at their end-of-life, Preserve and Ozzi take the containers back to have them recycled. As evidenced, this initiative is helping to reduce both the disposal and purchasing of single-use takeout items. Johnny’s Luncheonette remains committed to actively participating in and promoting eco-friendly practices. In addition to their commendable composting program, they are now part of a network of local restaurants with reusable takeout container programs, further enhancing their positive impact within the Newton community. Here are extra details on how the program works in real-time, adapted from Green Newton’s recent article:
If you are a business rethinking your waste and recycling practices, give RecyclingWorks a call at 888-254-5525 or email them at [email protected]. They are here to help you reach your goals.  Textiles and mattresses will be added to Massachusetts’ solid waste ban starting November 1st. This is part of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) 2030 Solid Waste Master Plan where the goal is to reduce disposal statewide by 30 percent (from 5.7 million tons in 2018 to 4 million tons in 2030) over the next decade.
In order to reach the long-term goal of achieving a 90 percent reduction in disposal to 570,000 tons by 2050 mattresses, box springs and textiles will be added to the list of materials banned from disposal or transport for disposal in Massachusetts. This means that textiles and mattresses will no longer be able to go in the regular trash and instead will have to be recycled. In addition, they are lowering the threshold on commercial organic/food waste to facilities generating more than one-half ton of these materials per week. WASTE GOES IN $ COMES OUT- Learn How @ Free Tour of the Recycling Disposal Facility 10/1710/10/2022
 October 17, 4 pm Wellesley RDF 169 Great Plain Avenue, Wellesley MA
You are invited to a free tour of the Wellesley RDF facility All ages welcome! The Wellesley RDF is not simply the place where our trash goes. It is one of the most successful models for recycling in the world and generates revenue for the town (over $741,000 in FY 2021) Learn about the source-separated model – meaning residents separate the material – that Wellesley has been using for decades, which results in very high quality recyclable products with a very low contamination rate. With trash disposal costs predicted to increase as much as 40% in the next 2-5 years as landfill capacity diminishes, learn about the Food Waste Program (estimated at approximately 20% of household generated waste) that converts these scraps into electricity, heat, liquid fertilizer, bio char/animal bedding or as ingredients to produce high grade compost. We look forward to seeing you! Please RSVP here.  Written by: Eliza Letteney
Consume Less, Fix What You Have, Pass Used Equipment on to Others Most of us carry cell phones and use technology daily if not hourly. But once equipment breaks or becomes dated, what is the best way to dispose of e-waste? Why should we properly recycle it, and let's be real, where does it go? What To Do With E-Waste? In Wellesley you can recycle old televisions, cell phones, computers, monitors, and other appliances at the Wellesley Recycling & Disposal Facility. These recycled devices are picked up by a contractor hired through the Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA) – a nonprofit that helps communities manage their own recycling programs – and “stripped for components.” Other local options include free recycling programs at Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon. When you drop it off, ask where products end up after you drop them off. Why Renew, Reuse or Recycle? Electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world. Between 2015-2020 global electronic waste increased 21 percent to 53.6 million metric tons, according to the United Nations Global E-Waste Monitor, and in 2019 less than 20 percent was recycled or reused meaning that most ends up in landfills or is burned. The Basel Action Network (an e-waste watchdog group based in Seattle) partnered with MIT to find that “recycled” electronics often end up in landfills across the world, in counties in South and Central America, Asia, and Africa. Some recycling facilities overseas extract precious metals from devices by burning plastics and, in doing so, pollute the environment with dioxins, a cancer-causing chemical with disastrous ramifications for both human life and nature. Some attribute the rise in e-waste to the difficulty of recycling the complex plastics in electronics (laced with metals, chemicals, and flame retardant) as well as the cultural acceptance of buying newer, sleeker models and discarding still-functioning devices.. While we wouldn’t want to discourage you from recycling, the goal here is to recognize that recycling e-waste is not a perfect solution. It may be more helpful, instead, to refrain from buying new devices in situations where repairs are possible. For those looking to fix or improve their devices, Wellesley has some great local options. Fix it! Wellesley resident Eric Pinsker-Smith fixes electronics and also conducts small engine and automotive repairs. He began his company, Just Ask Eric, in August of 2021 and specializes in tricky diagnostics. Whether you have a busted snowblower or glitchy computer, Pinsker-Smith is a great local resource. Other local businesses like Cellaxs Phone Repair in the Natick Mall provide options for those looking to repair not replace. Keep in mind that often tech issues that seem insurmountable can be overcome. It just takes a change in mindset to consider seeking out service when we would otherwise call it a day and find a replacement. Keeping devices longer and managing individual contributions to the global e-waste problem can make a difference as consumers await development of sustainable tech solutions. Share the love - Donate One last thought, if you are replacing a phone or other tech product that still works, consider deleting the data and donating the item to a local charity or to larger organizations like these: Medic Mobile, to support community health workers around the world; Cell Phones for Soldiers, to provide service to active duty military members and veterans. Think twice before tossing something that can make a difference.  Thanks to Susan Z for the green tips! Have the holidays left you bursting at the seams with more "stuff' than you need? With the RDF Take It Or Leave It/Reusables Area closed for the season, it can be hard to find homes for items you no longer need but are too good to throw in a landfill.
Among many, three phenomenal Facebook sites have become sustainable superheroes: Buy Nothing Wellesley, Wellesley Give & Take, and Greater Boston Give & Take. The first two are restricted to Wellesley neighbors, while the last group comprises nearby suburbs. Expect fun, generous, and caring folks that delight in offering items they no longer need and seeing these items appreciated and re-homed. In search of something – a folding table or the Magic Tree House books? Post an “In Search Of” (ISO) request -- you might be surprised to see what the community comes up with! You no longer need that vintage bed, holiday décor, or SAT review books? Post an “Offer”. You don't have to do anything else on FB if you don't want to, but joining these groups is worth the cyber trip! Similar off-Facebook groups, such as Freecycle, exist as well. These “gifting” groups build community and help us lean towards being green! When picking up your "gift," consider planning errands around that area, as well! The State of Massachusetts gives a thorough list of entities that will gladly take and reuse furniture, building materials, and much more that go to the needy — and organizations will pick up! And next time you think about buying something, ask yourself, “Do I/we truly need this?”, “Is this sustainably made?” and “Can I find one for FREE on one of the gifting groups?” It’s easy being GREEN!  The Wellesley Recycling & Disposal Facility (RDF) is supplying food waste collection starter kits for your kitchen in an effort to increase food waste diversion from residential trash. Collecting your food waste separately keeps it out of a landfill and creates clean energy; furthermore, it’s easy.
Call the RDF ahead of time to reserve your no cost kit at 781-235-7600 x3345. Then, simply put all of your food waste (bones too!) in your bin at home. Then place it in the the green totters marked "FOOD WASTE" located by the trash compactors at the RDF. The food waste is then taken to a facility where it is turned into clean energy. So get your kit and start diverting food waste today!  Save yourself from shlepping more things to the dump, save some trees and reduce the amount of trash that Wellesley sends to landfills.
You CAN reduce the amount of junk mail you receive. Go to www.catalogchoice.org, follow a few simple steps and Catalog Choice will do the rest. Every year, over 100 million trees are cut down to produce junk mail like catalogs, credit card offers and coupons that go into trash or at best into a recycling bin. Not to mention the amount of resources it takes to produce and distribute all that junk mail. Stop one frustration in your daily life by getting rid of your junk mail. To find out about additional opportunities to reduce, visit the RDF’s website here.  We love those compostable, "environmentally friendly" containers, cups, utensils, etc. They make us feel better and are a better alternative to plastic. However, if they are not industrially composted, they wont do all the magic they want them to.
The Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF) is turning that around. They are piloting a compostable products area at the RDF. Similar to the totters to collect food waste, the RDF will have a container near the yard waste where you can discard your compostable products. They will then mix the compostables in with the yard waste which will allow the products to break down. Nice! This is a great opportunity to take compostable products out of the waste stream and put them into an environment where they can become actual compost. The RDF will pilot this effort and evaluate its effectiveness for future operations.  On Wednesday, June 23 from 7-8:30pm, join the virtual conversation about the intersection of environmental justice, corporate greed, pollution, and the climate crisis in ‘No Time to Waste: Toxic Plastic and the Climate Crisis.’ Panelists will share results from a recent Fairhaven beach cleanup and brand audit, learn about how plastic production affects EJ communities, and hear how we can work together to get the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act passed.
Panelists:
REGISTER HEREREGISTER This event is hosted by Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven and Climate Reality Project Massachusetts Southcoast. |
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