BWRC Minutes Apr 1 2021 Beverly Waste Reduction Committee
Meeting Minutes—April 1, 2021
Beverly Waste Reduction Committee
MINUTES: Monthly Meeting, Thursday, April 1, 2021
6:30 PM, virtual
CALL TO ORDER: 6:32 pm
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Higgins (Chair), Sandy Burgess, Nancy Dillon,
Joyce Herman, Toni Musante (joined after vote on minutes), John Swain, Lisa Willwerth
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: none
INVITED PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS: Stephanie Bilotti, Gail Garron Bernard, Mary
Barthelmes, Amy Henderson
Housekeeping
Committee Chair Higgins opened the meeting, and reminded members about protocol for remotely
conducted meetings.
Minutes
February and March 2021 minutes were presented for review and consideration.
Dillon moved to accept the February andMarch minutes as presented; Willwerth seconded.
The motion carried(6-0).
Update from the Mayor's Office
Stephanie Bilotti provided an update on numerous items from the Mayor's office:
• Recycling Audit. The City conducted a recycling audit with JRM on 3/24/21 at JRM's
GreenWorks recycling facility. It was attended by representatives of the Mayor's office,
Engineering, Purchasing and DER JRM tipped a load on the floor from the prior day
(Tuesday route in downtown Beverly). It was visually inspected, and then a large
representative sample was collected, weighed and sorted for contamination. The sample
size was 800 pounds, and 200 pounds of contamination was identified (25%).
Contamination included a window (glass in wooden frame), which should not have been
picked up by JRM. The Committee discussed the importance that JRM not pick up
materials that are clearly contaminated and that don't belong in curbside recycling. Other
contamination included bagged recyclables, boxes with Styrofoam/packing materials, plastic
cups with lids/straws and containing liquid, film plastic (including Amazon mailers), food-
contaminated containers, and other items that are not suitable for curbside recycling. There
were numerous items that are questionable; specifically, #3 - #7 plastics, which should have
been accepted if clean and if a bottle,jar,jug or tub (MADEP's standard for recycling,
which all the MRFs have accepted). Next steps include factoring in contamination rates,
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Beverly Waste Reduction Committee
Meeting Minutes—April 1, 2021
and measurement of those rates, for a new contract as well as clear education regarding
recycling. Stephanie offered to share the City's notes from the audit.
• Enforcement Coordinator. The City has been discussing options for an enforcement
coordinator, potentially using RDP grant funds for this position. This position could be
integrated with expanded outreach and education, possibly including MADEP's Recycling
IQ kit, a program that provides literature and other educational resources and tools. The
enforcement coordinator could potentially manage the waste/recycling contract, including
holding the vendor accountable for contract terms and conditions.
• Composting. The City remains interested in expanding composting. As part of contract
negotiations with JRM, the City has asked JRM to outline their capabilities for city-wide
curbside collection of food waste. This may be a program that is initiated in the future
(perhaps year 2 or 3 of the new contract). The Committee advised that the details of the
program are critical, including where the food waste would be delivered for processing and
conditions that may be imposed by that facility regarding the allowance for non-food
compostable items and limitations on contamination. Stephanie noted that Standley Street
will not be an allowable location for food waste composting.
• Carry-in/Carry-out. The City is continuing to coordinate with Ellis Square Friends (ESF)
for waste disposal associated with to-go meals for the homeless population. As previously
discussed, the removal of barrels from public locations has impacted ESF's operations. The
City and ESF are collaboratively gathering information and assessing whether the situation
will resolve itself as COVID restrictions are lifted. ESF had previously conducted a near-
zero waste operation, and has a strong desire to return to that model when possible.
Musante raised a concern about Dane Street Beach. She observed an excessive amount of
litter and asked if barrels will be put back. Stephanie responded that the City has had
preliminary discussions about initiating a strong carry-in/carry-out campaign focused on
increased education, possibly including the assistance of park rangers. Discussions are
ongoing about best practices for Dane Street Beach.
• Meeting with the Mayor's Office. Martha is working on scheduling a meeting with the
Mayor and his staff as well as the chair of the Waste Reduction Committee to further
address waste and recycling plans and proposed activities.
• In-Person Meetings. As of now, in-person meetings are still subject to gathering
restrictions. While in-person meetings are not prohibited, COVID restrictions need to be
considered when hosting a meeting that must allow for participation by the public.
Stephanie noted that the Middle School has the capability of a hybrid meeting—the
Committee could meet in person with the public participating via a zoom link. City Hall
does not have this capability.
The Committee thanked Stephanie for this detailed update as well as the City's hard work. We are
pleased with the direction the City is heading and welcome the increased resources focused on
waste reduction, recycling, and composting.
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Meeting Minutes—April 1, 2021
Earth Day Events and Composting Initiatives
Amy Henderson, a Beverly resident and representative of the local chapter of Mothers Out Front
(MOF), provided information on upcoming Earth Month events. Specifically, she has received
approval to place an informational table at Aubuchon Hardware in Beverly for the two weekends
surrounding Earth Day (April 17, 18, 24 and 25)from approximately 11 AM until 1 PM. The
objective is to provide information on curbside and backyard composting. MOF would also like to
accept signatures on a petition requesting cities provide drop-off composting locations for residents
that for whatever reason cannot participate in a curbside or backyard program. Amy is requesting
the assistance of volunteers for the tabling events. The Committee agreed to send out an email to
our volunteer database to help identify volunteers. The Committee discussed literature resources
for purposes of the tabling, including existing resources available from MADER
Lisa Willwerth participated in a meeting with a Beverly volunteer committee working to line up and
advertise Earth Month events. The group is planning a series of"Bev Talks" that will air on Bev
CAM. Lisa agreed to do a brief talk on our Committee, what we do, and our priorities and
objectives for more sustainable waste management practices. Sue Higgins will work with Lisa to
compile appropriate information to support the talk.
Old Business and Miscellaneous Items
Lisa Willwerth provided a brief update on Resilient Together. The consultants are working on
putting details together regarding goals and action items.
Upcoming Events
• April 20, 2021 —MADEP webinar on composting
• April 24, 2021 —Household hazardous waste collection event(BHS, 8-12)
Other Updates and Discussion Items by Committee Members
Due to schedule conflicts, the May meeting will be cancelled unless priority agenda items are
identified.
There was a brief discussion about the potential for a Styrofoam collection event. This will be put
on a future agenda for further consideration.
Higgins is continuing to work to secure a clerk that can record the minutes for the Waste Reduction
Committee.
Adjournment
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 pm.
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