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BWRC Approved Minutes Mar 2020Beverly Waste Reduction Committee Meeting Minutes — March 5, 2020 Beverly Waste Reduction Committee MINUTES: Monthly Meeting, Thursday, March 5, 2020 6:30 PM, Beverly City Hall, Conference Room A CALL TO ORDER: 6:33 pm COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Higgins (Chair), Sandy Burgess, Nancy Dillon, Toni Musante, Lisa Willwerth COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Joyce Hermon, John Swain INVITED PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS: Andrew Samperi, Karen Thaw, Morgan Farley, Meridien Youndt Higgins requested Committee members and guests introduce themselves for the benefit of two new guests to the meeting. Morgan and Meridien also introduced themselves. They expressed interest in opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle. They learned of our Committee through Black Earth Compost. They have been personally researching and pursuing zero waste opportunities, and are working on concepts for potentially creating a zero waste store in the area. They expressed interest in learning more about what our Committee does and looking for ways to be part of a solution. Minutes January and February 2020 minutes will be presented at a future meeting. Treasurer's Report Burgess reported that the current account balance is $24,820.54; no change since last month. Update on Meetings with Other Communities Higgins and Willwerth attended a meeting with the Manchester by the Sea Sustainability Committee on February 28, 2020. Their hauler is Waste Management, and they are struggling with cost - effectively managing their waste and recycling. They have City -wide composting at no added cost to residents, and are at about 30% participation. They are monitoring Hamilton's program, which may go to every- other -week waste collection to promote increased recycling and composting. Higgins and Willwerth shared information with them about Beverly's waste and recycling program, as well as Beverly's subscription curbside composting program. Hermon is working with the City of Salem for possible collaboration on a joint Styrofoam collection event. She has a meeting schedule with Salem in the upcoming week. Compost Program Update Higgins reported that the City has agreed to buy additional bins for our Committee to distribute (approximately 250). Storage location is a problem. Musante reported that GAR Hall has a second Page 1 of 3 Beverly Waste Reduction Committee Meeting Minutes — March 5, 2020 level that is not accessible for occupied use, but would be suitable for bin storage. Bins could be accessed through a front entrance without traversing the Planning Department's offices. Musante passed this information along to the Mayor's office. Higgins reported that she met with Councilor Ames and discussed many issues related to Committee activities, including a significant discussion on the composting program. Councilor Ames suggested we consider a social media campaign focused on increasing participation — e.g., along the lines of *I'm part of the 30" or '*Let's get to 30 ", referring to the objective to reach a 30% participation rate. Councilor Ames suggested we film short video clips of a wide range of residents, including the Mayor, City Councilors, and other residents, promoting their participation. The Committee liked this idea. Another idea floated at the meeting was to build on the inherent promotion that comes from setting out bins — maybe via stickers attached to bins to draw attention and alert others how to join. The Committee also discussed continuing to use events to promote the program. Electronics Collection (Saturday, May 9, 2020) Higgins provided an update on planning for electronics collection. The date is confirmed, as is the location, the vendor, and the football team. The Committee discussed pricing. Dillon moved to keep the pricing the same as last year. Burgess seconded. The motion carried (5 -0). The Committee discussed literature for distribution. Musante recommended we keep literature simple with nice graphics, to grab the attention of as many people as possible. Burgess reminded everyone that she will be away for electronics collection; someone else will need to pick up recycling bins. Higgins will check with Hermon to see if she can pick them up the morning before the event. Dillon asked about the volunteer schedule; Higgins will distribute a sign -up sheet. Logo Design and Marketing Materials Andrew Samperi shared updated logo designs with the Committee. The Committee liked the second of the two designs, but there was a concern about three different colors due to difficulties in printing a multi - colored logo on certain materials. There was consensus that any logo we adopt would need to also work in a single -color design. Andrew will provide a single -color version of the logo for review. The Committee would purchase the rights to both a multi -color and single -color logo. Dillon asked whether the logo requires City approval. The Committee agreed to share the logo with the City for approval before purchasing the rights to the design. Dillon moved to conditionally approve the logo, with the agreement of Committee members not present at this meeting as well as the City, and costs up to $100 to purchase the design rights to the two versions of the logo. Willwerth seconded. The motion carried (5 -0). Spring Educational Forum (April 22, 2020; 7:00 — 8:30 PM; Beverly Public Library) The Committee reviewed logistics for the Beverly Recycling Symposium. The event will be opened by a City official, followed by a presentation by our Committee on City facts and figures. We will then have three speakers: a recycling discussion by JRM; a review of the compost program by Black Earth Compost; and information on textile recycling by Bay State Textiles. Black Earth Page 2 of 3 Beverly Waste Reduction Committee Meeting Minutes — March 5, 2020 and Bay State Textiles are confirmed; the City is reaching out to JRM. Mary Barthelmes prepared a draft flyer for Committee consideration, which the Committee thought was excellent. Willwerth agreed to coordinate snacks and beverages for the forum. The Committee discussed raffle items, such as giving away a subscription to the compost program. Willwerth suggested that the raffle "ticket" consist of a short questionnaire. Burgess confirmed with the City that we are allowed to hold a raffle, as long as there is no money involved. Dillon provided an update on possible "give - aways ". She requested and received samples, which she shared with the Committee along with details on pricing. Many of the items were made from recycled materials, and included: recycling bin keyring, recycled circuit board keychain (like a dog - tag), recycling sliding information chart, metal retractable straw (with cleaner), reusable silicone straw in a travel case, bookmark made from post- consumer recycled tires (also opens bottles /jars and removes lint), and chip clips. The circuit board keychain and bookmark were generally well - liked items. The sliding chart was also of interest, with a discussion about whether we could produce our own that was specific to Beverly. There was interest in ordering bookmarks for the Library forum, and keychains for the electronics collection event. Dillon moved that we spend up to $500 to purchase give -aways (bookmarks), food and beverage, raffle items, printing (flyers), and other supplies for the April 22nd educational forum. Seconded by Burgess. Motion passed (5 -0). Old Business Andrew Samperi presented an update on the DECA project "Carbon Less Accomplish More." Andrew requested updated numbers on curbside participation; Higgins will provide that information. Andrew and Sydney qualified for Nationals, which is in April in Nashville. The Committee congratulated them on their great work. Higgins provided an update on City efforts towards enacting a polystyrene ordinance. Upcoming Events No discussion. Other Updates and Discussion Items by Committee Members No discussion. Adjournment There being no further discussion this evening, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm. Page 3 of 3