BWRC Approved Minutes April 4 2019Beverly Waste Reduction Committee
Meeting Minutes — April 4, 2019
Beverly Waste Reduction Committee
MINUTES: Monthly Meeting, Thursday, April 4, 2019
6:00 PM, Beverly City Hall, Conference Room A
CALL TO ORDER: 6:04 pm
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Higgins (Chair), Sandy Burgess, Nancy Dillon,
Joyce Herman, Toni Musante, John Swain
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: None
INVITED PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS: Mary Barthelmes, Lisa Willworth, Joe Willworth
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the March 2019 meeting were presented for approval.
Swain moved to approve the minutes and Musante seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-
0 with Burgess arriving after the vote was taken).
Treasurer's Report
Burgess reported that the account balance is $23,778.88 (no change since last month).
Spring 2019 Electronics Collection
Higgins provided an update on planning for electronics collection. A volunteer schedule has
been circulated. We currently have five volunteers at all times during the event. This should
allow for two teams to record items and collect money, and a fifth person to cover the
information table. We also have one volunteer to pick up pizza for the end of the event. Dillon
has updated the data recording sheet; she reviewed the changes that have already been made and
a few more that she would like to make. Higgins brought flyers for the event, which Committee
members will post around the City. The Committee reviewed supplies and materials that will be
needed for the event (aprons, gloves for handling items, recycling bins to sell, compost bins to
display, folding table and chair(s), City literature, banner, sandwich board sign, traffic cones, clip
boards, pens, change, tape measurer, etc.).
Discussion of Curbside Recycling
The Committee had an unplanned discussion about curbside recycling, focused on complaints
that citizens have been making about JRM mixing dual stream recyclables together when they
are collected. This has been a recurring complaint and comes up often on social media and in
discussions with the public. Mary Barthelmes suggested working on some focused messaging to
educate the public about dual stream vs single stream and to explain why it's important to
continue to separate paper from other recyclables even if JRM mixes them in the truck. The
Committee also discussed further educational outreach regarding what materials are recyclable
and what materials are contaminants (i.e., how to recycle right).
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Meeting Minutes — April 4, 2019
Discussion of Styrofoam Collection Event
Higgins shared information that was provided by Catherine Barrett, the grants manager for the
City, regarding securing a sponsor. Her suggestions included Beverly Bank, The Institution for
Savings Bank, and Beverly Rotary. Hermon agreed to reach out to the Rotary to explore if they
would be interested in sponsoring the Styrofoam collection event ($600, or possibly slightly
more to provide some funds for promoting the event). Hermon also agreed to reach out to Gold
Circuit to check availability for the first Saturday in November (the date preferred by the
Committee). The Committee discussed the possibility of opening the event to one or more other
communities; Hamilton has expressed interest. A possible concern is whether the truck will fill
before the end of the event. Musante commented that in years past, this was not a problem for
events open to multiple communities. Musante also reminded the Committee that we need to
advertise far in advance to allow people time to save material.
RDP Grant Application
Higgins provided an update on the City's work to submit an application for the 2019 RDP Grant.
Outreach and education efforts help to earn points for grant funding. Higgins has agreed to write
a letter to the editor highlighting the curbside composting program. Other advertising efforts are
also beneficial. Musante provided an update regarding advertising on BevCAM and agreed to
help coordinate the posting of information that we develop. She will post information on the
electronics collection event. Mary Barthelmes suggested developing a simple marketing
calendar with key dates and events and agreed to share information she has already compiled for
Instagram. Burgess suggested providing short public service announcements, such as tips related
to recycling and waste management. The Committee agreed to have a routine agenda item to
collaborate on BevCAM postings. The Committee also agreed to talk further at a future meeting
about producing a new BevCAM show on local waste management issues.
Old Business and Other Updates
Brunch and Learn at Senior Center — Herman provided an update on the Brunch and
Learn at the Senior Center (March 12, 2019). It was well attended, perhaps with 40 or 50
participants. Mary Barthelmes also attended, along with representatives from the
Mayor's Office. The seniors appreciated the recycling display, which showed what can
and cannot be recycled, asked a lot of questions, and participated in an engaging dialogue
about waste management and environmental issues.
Curbside Composting Update — Higgins provided a brief update on the program. New
sign -ups continue at a pace of about 10 -12 per month. Black Earth mailed coupons to
existing customers that can be redeemed at certain local stores (e.g., Aubuchon
Hardware) for a free bag of compost. This will replace the communal pile that was
available in past years, which simplifies the distribution process.
• Earth Day — Higgins advised that Earth Day activities are being planned for Saturday,
April 20, 2019 on the Common (noon to 3:00 pm). Household Hazardous Waste is the
same day. The City is also considering another reusable bag distribution event in the
grocery stores on Earth Day. The Committee discussed whether anyone was available to
coordinate and staff an information table on the Common. A few members were
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Meeting Minutes — April 4, 2019
available to assist for part of the time, but no one was able to take a lead role in
coordinating and conducting the event due to competing events. Higgins will inform the
coordinators that we will be unable to participate in this event.
• Collaboration with Other Groups — The Committee discussed inviting other groups to
meet with us, to explore opportunities for collaboration. Two groups of interest are Full
Circle Earth and Seaside Sustainability. Also of interest is the Beverly Public Library's
new undertaking, the "Library of Things." Swain offered to reach out to Full Circle
Earth to invite them to a future meeting. Higgins will reach out to Seaside Sustainability.
Adjournment
There being no further discussion this evening, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm.
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