As part of a new initiative to educate residents about proper recycling, Haverhill, MA recycling inspectors will be examining the contents of curbside recycling bins across the city to ensure residents are complying with recycling regulations. Those with improper materials in them will be tagged with a notice that they will not be picked up in the future if they contain improper items.

Mayor James Fiorentini said the city has received $42,000 from the state’s “Recycle Smart” initiative to educate residents about proper recycling practices – a campaign that will stress the importance of putting only materials in recycling bins that processing plants are equipped to handle.

“Recycling efforts have saved the city more than $2 million in reduced trash disposal costs since we began citywide curbside recycling in 2010,” Fiorentini said. “We want recycling in the city to continue and to get even better, so we are always looking at how we can improve how we do it.”

“Recycling is good for the environment and it saves the city money – that’s why it’s always been a priority for me and will continue to be a priority,” City Councilor Colin LePage said. LePage said Haverhill was one of the first communities in the state to launch single stream recycling.

Haverhill’s new recycling grant is part of $2.6 million in state grants awarded recently to 247 Massachusetts communities and solid waste districts by the Baker Administration. Amanda Buckley, Haverhill’s solid waste and recycling coordinator, said the city will use a portion of the funding for an education campaign, including mailers, to teach residents about what kinds of materials should go in the recycle bin verses material that should be disposed of in the trash barrel.

The grant will also subsidize the cost of composting bins available to residents at discounted prices at the Public Works facility. The $100 composting bins are currently available to residents for $25.

Read the full story at http://www.eagletribune.com/news/haverhill/city-to-launch-recycling-education-campaign/article_53545fc5-f10d-5a4a-a707-04229fb49350.html.

Sponsor