220303_Approved Minutes (BWRC) CITY OF BEVERLY
WASTE REDUCTION COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 6:30 PM
Beverly Public Library, Sohier Room
Call to order: 6:34 p.m. The meeting began with introductions.
Committee members present: Susan Higgins (Chair), Sandy Burgess, Nancy Dillon, Toni
Musante, John Swain, Lisa Willwerth
Committee members absent: Joyce Herman
Invited participants and guests: Amy Henderson, Erina Keefe, City Councilor At-Large
Hannah Bowen
Review minutes for February 3, 2022 meeting
Willwerth moved to approve the February minutes; Dillon seconded. The motion carried (5-0-
1); Musante abstained.
Reuse and recycling research—local options for items not collected curbside
The deep dive into research topics is two-fold: (1)to update the CityBWRC website with more
information about how/where to reuse, repurpose, or recycle these items; and (2)for a waste
reduction/recycling display at Green Beverly's meeting space in the Cummings Center with QR
codes directing visitors to the CityBWRC website. The theme for this display is based on"How
Low Can You Go" as well as a quote from Annie Leonard, creator of"The Story of Stuff," who
said, "There is no such thing as away. When we throw anything away it must go somewhere."
A graphic designer is volunteering their time with Green Beverly to help create the displays, and
BWRC members will help research these types of items people often ask how to reuse/recycle:
a. Books—A. Henderson 1. Rigid Plastic
b. DVDs/VHS and other Media—A. m. Styrofoam
Henderson n. Scrap Metal — T. Musante
c. Film plastic/wrap — S. Higgins o. Plastic Beer Can Carriers—J. Swain
d. Textiles— S. Burgess p. Wine Corks—N. Dillon
e. Toys/Games/Puzzles—L. Willwerth q. Plastic Plant Pots/Trays—N. Dillon
f. Household Items—L. Willwerth r. Chip Bags
g. Electronics s. Hazardous Waste
h. Lightbulbs— S. Higgins t. Eyeglasses
i. Batteries— S. Burgess u. TerraCycle— off the list for now
j. Paint—J. Swain (oil paint) v. Black Plastic Takeout
k. Shredded Paper w. Other?
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For this first round Higgins recommends finding local places who accept/reuse the materials, and
Henderson emphasized visiting local places because calling to inquire does not always yield
accurate responses based on who may answer the phone. Some initial places to query include
the City's FAQs on recycling, MassDEP's Recyclopedia, and Beyond the Bin. A second step
involves what does the place do with the materials, turn it into, where does it go? Example: at
the Styrofoam event, the vendor shared the materials go to Canada where they are turned into
walls that are put into walk-in freezers.
Higgins may create a Google Spreadsheet for everyone to work collectively to identify
places/ways to reuse, repurpose, and recycle the materials. Keefe stressed taking pictures while
visiting a location, especially of collection bins, and including explicit directions on where to
bring the materials within a location.
EarthFest— Sunday 4/24, 1-4pm
Keefe is working with Green Beverly, thrilled to see the origami cups Henderson brought to the
meeting, and the event will be a lot of fun. Salem Sound Coastwatch, Change is Simple, Kestrel,
and more will have stations including erosion walk/tidepools, birdwatching, EV demo/car show,
home energy station, music, food, and drinks; and she appreciates the planning help from
Henderson and Julia Long at Green Beverly, as well as the sign research from Willwerth.
Henderson's station will be next to BWRC and will involve compost, pollinators, programs for
young kids, and plain (plastic-yarn from newspaper bags to knit/crochet/weave). Victoria
Hackett will have programs for young kids, Katie the Monarch Lady may have more information
on pollinators, and Henderson plans to recreate the circle for people to see: food 4 compost 4
planting (oregano and thyme seedlings in recycled toilet paper roll bins). Kids can plant
butterfly milkweed (large seed)in paper origami cups to take home, and Higgins is reaching out
to Yarns on the Farms to see if they know crafters who would like to demonstrate making plain
(fold newspaper bags into quarters, cut into strips, and then loop the strips together), and
knitting/crocheting with plarn next to the BWRC table.
Keefe shared that as it's intended to be a zero-waste event, and Lynch Park is carry-in/carry-out,
she would like any input on incentivizing and marketing for people to bring all their own
materials (water bottle, utensils, eating dish, etc. so people don't need to take compostable
containers from food trucks, etc.). Would BWRC donate raffle items related to sustainability
and waste reduction, to support a raffle where people receive punches/tickets/chances for
sustainable actions (BYO cutlery, biking to the event, etc.)? Members discussed approximate
costs for a one-year subscription to Black Earth curbside composting, one backyard composting
bin,' gift certificates to Unpacked Living, gift certificate/credit for the Beverly Farmer's Market,
and/or EcoBrick bench. Swain will contact Councilor Rand to inquire about credits to the
Farmer's Market. Dillon moved to spend up to $350.00 for giveaway incentives for EarthFest
and to spend the money on the items themselves; Swain seconded. The motion carried (6-0).
1 The City can earn 2RDP points to use towards grants later in the year for making backyard compost bins available
to residents for$25(retail value-$90). Aubuchon Hardware would sell them,and Keefe is following up with other
municipalities who offer discounted Earth Machine compost bins for backyard composting. The program will not
likely be in place in time,so this prize might be purchased at full price.
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Willwerth shared that she spoke with former Councilor Flaherty, and he has a truckload of signs
he is happy to donate (some wooden, and some metal with corrugated cardboard). Former
Councilor Guanci may also have some, but got rid of most of them. Members shared ideas for
other sources of political signs, but there was a general consensus that a truckload should be
enough. Members volunteered to stick new signs for EarthFest onto the repurposed political
signs at a meeting or as a separate social event. Willwerth priced examples for sandwich boards
as well, and Keefe confirmed she can likely buy the boards. Higgins shared BWRC has plenty
of aprons that say "Beverly Recycles," and Keefe suggested printing a new patch if they would
prefer to rebrand them with BWRC rather than ordering additional aprons. Higgins will follow-
up with City Solicitor's questions about a BWRC logo, and Keefe has a laminated city seal with
"Beverly Waste Reduction Committee" and recommends BWRC use a tagline underneath to
display on a tablecloth for EarthFest. Designing/finalizing a logo would not likely be complete
in time to order a custom tablecloth before the event.
Higgins echoed the need for CICOBYO messaging— sharing that LobsterFest generates so little
trash, and the bulk of it is stuff people bring from home (diapers, pet waste, wrappers, etc.).
Normally for CICO people would take it home, but they see a waste station and throw it away
instead. So she agrees it's an important message to work into the event marketing.
Other City updates and discussion items
• Black Earth will charge $20 to pick-up a third occasional-use tote, to be scheduled as
needed.
• Styrofoam— Keefe spoke with Guglielmi about the cities of Beverly and Salem offering
the Styrofoam pickup event twice a year using the same model as last time and
alternating between the cities to host. They suggest the second Saturdays in January
and June, to help promote saving Styrofoam from holiday gifts. The events would be 3
hours and would include access to a building for restrooms and to warm up if needed.
Everyone was excited for this to become a regular event.
• Bans— moved to the next meeting for time; the State has a lot of new material bans
effective November 2022 (mattresses, textiles, food waste limitations)
• Polystyrene—a constituent is eager to ban polystyrene (serving Styrofoam in
restaurants), so they are revisiting the draft measure that was ready to roll-out right
before Covid. A Green Beverly intern was examining the per unit costs for takeaway
containers, and whether the leap to compostable material versus black plastic
containers. No one recommends banning black plastic containers without more
research — possible scanner technology will improve, whether it is black because it's
made with recycled materials, people wash and reuse the containers at home, etc.
• School composting— more at the next meeting for time.
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• Compliance Position— reposted on the City website as they're not receiving many
resumes. Keefe will share the job listing for people to share with their networks to help
locate applicants.
• Buy Nothing may have its own app—thinking about organized citywide ways to give
away or repurpose items that still function well to neighbors.
• People often ask—what can I do to fight climate change/ be more sustainable?
Especially thinking in terms of rising environmental science students, how can people
communicate the entrepreneurial needs for the region? For example, there is no local
glass processing facility— looking for help communicating possible life directions, and
highlighting unmet needs within our community/region.
• Salem's repair cafe is scheduled for next Saturday, March 12t" from 9am-12pm at the
Community Life Center. They will have sewers, menders, repair technicians, and Keefe
recommends visiting, while you need an appointment to bring items you can also just
stop by to see how the event works.
• Electronic Waste —Salem offers quarterly a-waste collection, Keefe asked whether the
BWRC would like a regularly scheduled a-waste event. Higgins confirmed BWRC used to
have an annual event in early May, and they scheduled an event for May 2020 that was
cancelled due to Covid. They did not organize an event in 2021 due to Covid. Higgins
will let the group decide, and personally recommends the City host the events staffed
either with City employees or contracted to a company as Salem does. The event
includes a lot of logistics Higgins used to coordinate: booking a school parking lot;
coordinating with the high school football team for volunteers; picking up traffic cones
from the Council on Aging in a truck, displaying the cones, collecting and returning the
cones to the Council on Aging; obtaining enough cash in low bills to make change at the
event, verifying the amount of starter cash with another volunteer, and reconciling
funds at the end of the event; bringing the funds to deposit the following weekday, etc.
Keefe received a cold call from Junk Luggers (new sustainability-focused junk hauler),
who offered to hold an a-waste event in exchange for advertising, but the City would
need to put out a request for bids if they used a contractor for these events.
Old business and miscellaneous items
None.
Upcoming events
• March 8, 2022, 4:30 PM— Sustainable Marblehead—Ecobricks and Their Uses with
Nathan Gray, Project lead at EcoBrick US
• March 10, 2022, 6 PM— Cabot Cinema—Coastal Communities Talk Water, hosted by
Green Beverly (free)
• March 26, 2022, 9 AM— 1 PM— 54 West Dane Street—Electronics Recycling, hosted by
Beverly BSA Scouts Troop 49 (see flyer for pricing)
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March 31, 2022, 6 PM—7:30 PM—Open Meeting Law training through the City
2022 MassRecycle Conference& Trade Show(Virtual) 3/31 & 4/1
Household Hazardous Waste 4/23
EarthFest 4/24
Other updates and discussion items by Committee members
Higgins will draft descriptions for the remaining two open volunteer positions (data
metrics/analysis and social media)for Keefe to advertise the openings. Keefe suggested a
college student from Montserrat/Endicott may be willing to commit to helping with social media
for a few years while in school, etc.
Adjourn: Swain moved to adjourn; Dillon seconded. The motion carried (6-0) at 8:38 p.m.
NEXT MEETING:
April 7, 2022 at 6:30 PM
Location: Beverly Public Library, Sohier Room
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