The Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District has implemented monthly giveaways for its New Bedford and Dartmouth customers. Tossing the trash gives residents eligibility to win some great environmentally friendly products. “The main reason for the giveaways is to get the word out about methods of reducing waste, which is a priority for the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District,” said Marissa Perez-Dormitzer, Waste Reduction Manager by email. “In the past, we held our giveaways only on Facebook,” she said noting the giveaways began in 2019. “Now we are promoting the giveaways in different media including community newsletters, press releases, websites, as well as social media.”
Prizes include things like a reusable bag by ChicoBag, a reusable notebook by Rocketbook, or a reusable metal water bottle by Thermos. The prize for the upcoming September giveaway is a reusable sandwich and snack bag by Stasher. The bag is washable and can be used over and over, lessening the number of disposable snack baggies that end up in the landfill.
Although the waste management services all New Bedford and Dartmouth residents, the giveaways generate less than 100 entries per month, Perez-Dormitzer said. “We are looking to broaden the reach to increase the number of entries,” she added. “The more popular the giveaways, the better. That will help us get the word out about reducing waste.”