Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Supporting Sustainability in the Pioneer Valley - 2020 by repubnews

REDUCE REUSE

RECYCLE

Supporting Sustainability in the Pioneer Valley Brought to you by The Republican and MassLive.com

S2 | FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Dear Residents and Business Owners:

Acknowledgements This guide marks the twelfth year of a collaborative effort between The Republican and the Springfield Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) Advisory Board. It is being produced as part of our Earth Day 2020 Celebration. MRF Advisory Board members, John Alpin (Hampden County), Veronique Blanchard (Mass DEP), Amy Donovan (Franklin County Solid Waste Management District), Cristina Ferrera (City of Springfield), Tracy DeMaio (Hampden County), Michael Pattavina (Franklin County), Arlene Miller (Hampden County) and Susan Waite (Hampshire County) contributed to the text. The Western Massachusetts Regional Recycling Program encompasses about 74 communities in the four western counties of the State. The cornerstone of the program, a 150-plus ton per day Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), is located in Springfield. The facility, owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), opened in January 1989. It is celebrating 31 years of service this year. Tracy DeMaio, Chair of the Advisory Board says, “It is our hope that both residents and businesses continue to find the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Guide a valuable tool in managing unwanted materials. We also appreciate all of the advertisers who made this publication possible.“

We send thanks to the Western Massachusetts businesses that make production of this Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Guide possible through their advertising support. 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and the American recycling industry has 50 years of growing, learning, and improving under its belt as it faces its latest challenge. Recycling has been a hot topic in national news since China, a major importer of recyclable material, announced new import purity standards in 2017. When most American material did not meet the new standards, the buyer of half of U.S. recyclables disappeared overnight. A market glut and falling commodity values followed, and municipalities are now feeling the effects. While similarities with other U.S. municipalities exist, the situation in western Massachusetts is unique. Recyclable material collected in Western Massachusetts tends to be cleaner – or less contaminated with trash – than in many other parts of the country. It is a point of pride at the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), but more importantly it pleases those who purchase our products. So while markets remain low, the materials we produce at the MRF continue to sell. Regardless of what you may hear in the national media, Western Massachusetts recycling is not being landfilled. This is thanks to you! Our Western Massachusetts communities do a great job keeping our recycling stream free of contaminants (items such as wet cardboard, dirty bottles and cans, plastic bags, Styrofoam and tanglers) so our recycling stream remains marketable! The Springfield MRF Advisory board is committed to providing local municipalities with effective tools so that we all may continue to reduce the amount of material that we discard. The market challenges facing us have arrived at a time when Americans are creating more waste than ever. Please use this guide to help determine the best way to reduce, reuse or recycle your unwanted materials. The guide provides options for reusing or donating, information on what can be recycled and how to recycle it, and lets you know about items that need to be kept out of the trash or recycling stream because of their effect on our health, environment, and end markets. Let’s keep up the strong waste reduction effort that has earned Western Massachusetts a great reputation. On behalf of the Springfield MRF Advisory Board, we thank you for your conscientious recycling efforts. We are pleased to celebrate 50 years of focused attention to the health of the planet with this 12th edition of this useful Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Guide.

Tracy DeMaio Chair, MRF Advisory Board

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 | S3

RECYCLES

The regional materials recycling facility (MRF) in Springfield sorts, bales, and sells recyclable paper and containers from over 73 Western Massachusetts communities. Owned by the State of Massachusetts and operated with guidance from the Department of Environmental Protection and a local advisory board, the Springfield MRF has processed over one million tons of Pioneer Valley recyclables since it opened in1989.

YES!

Please recycle y these items: tems:

WE PROCESS YOUR HOUSEHOLD CONTAINERS AND PAPER. Metal cans, foil, milk and juice cartons, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles/jars/tubs/jugs, clear plastic hinged containers (clamshells). Labels and caps on bottles are okay. Clean papers, magazines/catalogs, greeting cards, gift wrap & gift tissue paper (no foils or metallics), paperbacks & phonebooks (covers okay), cardboard, paperboard, clean pizza boxes. Paper clips, staples and metal spirals are okay.

NO!

THANK YOU*

* PLEASE KEEP THESE ITEMS OUT OF THE HOUSEHOLD RECYCLING.

At the recycling facility, plastic bags, hoses and holiday lights cause safety hazards and shutdowns when they wrap around conveyor belts and equipment. Plastic bags, holiday lights and textiles can be recycled and/or donated in other locations. This NO list is not all-inclusive.

TEXTILES! TILES!

PLASTIC BAGS! OR BAGGED MATERIALS

NO ITEMS THAT WRAP RAP P AND TANGLE!

For information about recycling visit: www.springfieldmrf.org Paid for by the Springfield MRF Advisory Board.

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

 = Items th or require sp

AEROSOL C

On July 1st, 2 will no longer in municipal then, recycle aerosol cans non-hazardou as health & b (sun block, fir hair products shaving cream (cooking oil, w frosting) and (starch, anti-s & air freshene a fire hazard, completely em noise from th pressed). Do pierce, flatten zles prior to r

Is Your Recycling

Going to Waste?

By B B Brooke N Nash While recent news stories about recycling might have you believe otherwise, the answer is an emphatic no, recycling is not a wasted effort. The cans, bottles and paper you put in your recycling bin are part of an important supply chain that returns used materials to the manufacturing sector to make new products and packaging in the U.S. and overseas. But what you put in your recycling bin does matter, now more than ever. In 2018, the Chinese government imposed a ban on the import of most recycled paper and unsorted plastics from the U.S. and Europe. Known as “National Sword”, the ban was a wake-up call to the recycling industry. For the previous 2 decades, almost half the recyclables collected in the U.S. were sold to mills in China where they were converted into packaging for the myriad consumer goods that China exports to the U.S. each year.

The Chinese recycling mills accepted low quality material and using cheap labor, sorted out the good from the bad. Until they decided they’d had enough. National Sword caused a global disruption in the secondary materials market. The oversupply of scrap paper and plastic caused their value to plummet. Markets in Southeast Asia stepped in to buy at low prices, while demanding higher quality, cleaner material. And that’s where each of us comes in. Over the years, many of us became “wishful recyclers”, putting items in the recycling bin that we hoped would be recycled. Our recycling habits became a little sloppy. And quite frankly, most of us simply didn’t know there was a problem. The most common mistakes We asked the operators of Massachusetts’ Material Recovery Facilities (MRF)

- where household recyclaBecome a smarter bles are sorted into separate recycler by following streams before they’re sold these guidelines: to end-markets - what the biggest problem materials • Empty and rinse all food are. Top of the list is plastic and beverage containers grocery bags. That’s right – even though most plastic bags • Remove all plastic and display a recycling symbol, styrofoam packing from they do NOT belong in your cardboard boxes before household recycling bin. Why recycling. not? Plastic bags wreak havoc at MRFs where they wrap • Ignore the recycling symaround sorting equipment and bol with a number that’s on shut down the sorting line. most plastic items - it does Workers have to manually cut NOT mean it’s recyclable. the bags off the equipment, a dangerous and time-consum• For plastic items, the ing job. This happens multiple shape is the best rule: If times a day at the recycling it’s a bottle, jar, jug or tub, facility in Charlestown where recycle it! Otherwise, put it Boston’s recyclables go for in the trash. ● Consult the sorting. online “Recyclopedia” for The other worst offenders? recycling answers to over Recyclables in plastic bags 500 items. Find it at Recy(these are pulled from the cleSmartMA.org. sorting line and thrown away); food and liquids, clothing, • Follow us on Facebook, and “tanglers” such as wire, Instagram and Twitter garden hoses, rope, and string (recyclesmartma) to learn lights. None of these items more about recycling smart. belong in your recycling bin.

Aerosol cans and once con materials are

• Spread the word to friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers about recycling smart. Keeping the bad stuff out of our recycling bins means the good stuff gets recycled. It also ensures we’re supporting a supply chain of recycled materials for the manufacturing economy, while conserving resources and protecting our environment. The silver lining to National Sword is that for the first time in decades, major investments in U.S. recycling mills are being made to fill the void that China left. That means jobs and economic growth right here at home. All the more reason to feel good about recycling. Brooke Nash is Branch Chief for Municipal Waste Reduction at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and leads the Recycle Smart MA statewide recycling education inititiave.

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REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

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WHAT DO I DO WITH...? ble. Place empty hazardous waste aerosol containers in or require special handling. your household trash (empty cans from insecticide, paint, AEROSOL CANS  On July 1st, 2020, aerosol cans lubricant, waterproofing, automotive, adhesive/craft & will no longer be accepted cleaning products). Aerosol in municipal recycling. Until cans with hazardous material then, recycle only EMPTY in them should be brought to aerosol cans that contained non-hazardous materials, such a household hazardous waste collection. For additional inforas health & beauty products mation, visit: www.mass.gov/ (sun block, first aid spray, guides/safely-manage-hazhair products, deodorant, & shaving cream); food products ardous-household-products. (cooking oil, whipped cream, frosting) and laundry products ALUMINUM FOIL, CANS & “DISPOSABLE” PANS (starch, anti-static products Rinse clean & recycle with & air fresheners). To prevent bottles & cans. Acceptable a fire hazard, cans must be items include aluminum pie completely empty (no air or pans and take-out containers, noise from the nozzle when disposable roaster pans, and pressed). Do not puncture, pierce, flatten, or remove noz- clean aluminum foil (ball it up). zles prior to recycling.

 = Items that are hazardous

ALUMINUM SIDING Aerosol cans that are empty and once contained hazardous (see “Scrap Metal”) materials are NEVER recycla-

AMMUNITION, EXPLOSIVES

Call your Police Department for proper disposal instructions.

ANTIFREEZE 

(see “Automotive Products”)

APPLIANCES

(see “Scrap Metal”)

ARTS, CRAFTS & HOBBY ITEMS 

Some paints, solvents and related materials are hazardous and should be brought to a hazardous waste collection. Always check the label before tossing in the trash. Visit www.crazycrayons.com for info about crayon recycling. Recycle Prang markers by visiting www.dixonrecycle. com. Schools can participate in Crayola ColorCycle, which accepts all brands of plastic markers, highlighters and dry

erase markers: www.crayola. com/colorcycle.

ASBESTOS 

There are strict removal & disposal requirements for asbestos. Contact the Western Region of the Mass Department of Environmental Protection: John Moriarty 413-755-2128 john.moriarty@mass.gov. To find licensed asbestos contractors, go to www.mass.gov and type “Currently Licensed Asbestos Contractors” into the search bar.

ATHLETIC SHOES (see “Shoes”)

AUTOMOBILES

(see “Vehicles”)

AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS 

Automotive products contain many hazardous materials & must be handled with care.

Do not dump in the trash, on the ground or down the drain.

• Motor oil Even a small amount of improperly disposed of motor oil will contaminate water & soil. In MA, retailers are required by law to accept up to two gallons of used oil at no charge with an original sales receipt. Many auto supply stores, auto repair shops & gas stations will accept used oil even if you didn’t buy it from them. Many towns accept motor oil at transfer stations or hazardous waste collections. Check with your town DPW for a hazardous waste collection option. Or call the MassDEP Used Oil Hotline at 617-556-1022. • Motor oil filters Some auto supply stores SEE WHAT, PAGE S6

Visit EcoBuilding Bargains... From Anywhere! If you’re home looking for projects to do, EcoBuilding Bargains is the place to shop! The Center for EcoTechnology’s (CET) reuse store, is the largest reclaimed and surplus building materials store MR 3I[ *RKPERH 1SGEXIH EX ;EV[MGO XVIIX MR TVMRKǻIPH XLI store accepts donations of quality home improvement materials and sells them to the public at discounted prices. To continue to serve the community, EcoBuilding Bargains has moved to virtual shopping appointments. An EcoBuilding Bargains personal shopper will video conference with customers and then arrange for safe, contact-free, curbside pickup of purchases. “Our customers love the unique style, quality, and value of these reclaimed pieces,” said CET President John Majercak. “We work to help homeowners and contractors prevent perfectly KSSH FYMPHMRK QEXIVMEPW JVSQ KSMRK XS PERHǻPPW ERH QEOI LSQI MQTVSZIQIRX QSVI EǺSVHEFPI for more people. We’re excited to continue to serve our customers at this time.”

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Call 413.788.6900 or email EcoBuildingBargains@cetonline.org to set up an appointment. EcoBuilding Bargains can be found online at ecobuildingbargains.org and many of their products are available on eBay as well. Customers are encouraged to visit EcoBuilding Bargains as usual once they open to the public again.

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or auto repair shops will recycle oil filters for free. Some towns accept motor oil filters at transfer stations. Check with your town DPW for local disposal information. Oil filters may be thrown away or recycled as scrap metal only when the oil has been completely drained (while filter is still warm, puncture the dome top & drain into a collection container. See above for oil disposal).

• Empty motor oil bottles Empty motor oil containers are not recyclable; drain well and then throw them away as trash. • Antifreeze Antifreeze is not only hazardous; its deceiving color & sweet taste may attract children, pets & wild animals. Empty antifreeze bottles should be thrown away (do not recycle). Consider having your vehicle’s radiator flushed at a service station to avoid the responsibility associated with proper storage & disposal. Antifreeze can be brought to a household hazardous waste collection. • Brake fluid Brake fluid is hazardous and must be brought to a household hazardous waste collection. Empty bottles of this material should be thrown away (do not recycle).

BABY FOOD POUCHES (see “Plastic Pouches”)

BAGS

(see “Plastics” and “Reusable Bags”)

BALLASTS 

(see “Mercury & Mercury-containing Products”)

BATTERIES 

Common “single-use” household batteries (alkaline, carbon zinc and zinc chloride in sizes A, AA, AAA, C & D, 9 volt, lantern size) manufactured after 1996 don’t contain mercury or other hazardous/

recyclable materials & can be thrown away as trash. (Put plastic tape on contacts on 9-volts and lantern batteries before disposal or storage.) Check labels carefully: some rechargeable and lithium batteries (which require special handling) can resemble alkaline batteries. ALL other battery varieties contain hazardous materials and require special disposal. Never put these batteries in recycle or trash bins. Many communities have convenient drop-off options; check your town website or call your DPW for local information; or search online with your zip code at www.earth911.com. In addition:

• Button batteries (found in watches, hearing aids, electronics & some toys) are usually accepted free of charge by stores that sell them or at watch/jewelry shops. • Lead acid batteries (found in vehicles, boats, motorcycles, kids’ ride-on toys, lawn mowers) will be accepted by the retailer from whom you buy a new one (they are required to take one back at no charge). Scrap metal recyclers typically pay for lead acid batteries.

Depot, Lowes, and Staples stores accept Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), Nickel-Zinc (Ni-Zn), small Sealed Lead Acid (Pb) batteries (up to 11 pounds). For more information and options for recycling rechargeable batteries, go to www.call2recycle.org.

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about Books (Greenfield) accepts books in any condition; donations are sorted for local and mail-order sale and all types of unsalable books are recycled at a local paper mill. Also accepted: CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records in working condition (www.roundaboutbookstore.com; 413-7730820).

BOTTLE CAPS & LIDS

Plastic caps & lids are recyclaBEER AND SODA ble only if fastened to a plastic PACKAGING bottle/jar/jug/tub. Loose Although it looks like paper plastic tops should be placed boxboard, beer and soda in the trash; small items cause packaging contains and invisible layer of plastic (to stay safety hazards and shutdowns strong when wet) and is NOT at recycling facilities because they get caught in the sorting recyclable. equipment. Metal lids, like those from glass jars, should BICYCLES be attached to the container. Working bicycles in good Metal lids from food cans condition can be offered to should be pushed inside the charities (search online via can or recycled loose. “bicycle donation”) or private organizations (e.g. www. BOXES pedalpeople.coop) that will use them, or may be gifted to • Clean cardboard, boxboard, individuals free via an online paperboard boxes are recysharing group (e.g. Freecycle. clable (e.g., packaging from org or a Buy Nothing Facecereal, crackers, tissues, book group). For recycling shoes, gifts, etc.) Attached options, see “scrap metal.” plastic windows may stay, but discard plastic liners. Flatten. BOATS (See more info under “Vehi• The clean portions of pizza cles.” ) boxes can be recycled, but Boats might be accepted the greasy parts must be in bulky waste collections discarded or composted. at some municipal transfer Because whole pizza boxes stations, or if metal, at scrap are usually greasy to some metal dealers. Call first. All degree, drop-off centers and automotive-type fluids must curbside programs somebe drained and properly distimes reject them. Turning posed of. them inside out or ripping

• Lithium batteries found in many applications, primarily in cameras) Check all batteries carefully before disposal; look for “Lithium” on the label. They resemble alkaline batteries, but these should be recycled properly: some municipalities accept BOOKS them. Books in good condition may be sold at used bookstores, • Rechargeable batteries donated to public libraries, contain heavy metals and little free libraries, or a book should never be thrown in the trash or put in municipal exchange, or dropped off at your local recycling/transfer or commercial recycling bins. These are found in cell station’s swap shop. Reader to Reader, an Amherst-based phones, cordless phones, non-profit, provides lilaptops, tablets, some brary-quality books to U.S. digital cameras, camcordschools and public libraries ers, UPS battery back-ups, (www.readertoreader.org). some toys, baby monitors, Paperback books & phonepower tools, robotic vacuum books unsuitable for reuse cleaners, and emergency CAN be recycled in municipal medical equipment. Also, programs. However, the covers rechargeable toothbrushand spines from hardcover es, razors, flashlights and hand-held vacuum cleaners, books are NOT recyclable; plus rechargeable batteries rip the pages out and recycle those; place the spine and that can be recharged with covers in the trash. Rounda battery charger. Home

out greasy sections are the best ways to ensure they won’t end up in a landfill. Soiled pizza boxes can be delivered to municipal compost programs at the transfer stations in Amherst, Bernardston, Conway, Deerfield, Greenfield (also open to non-residents), Leverett, New Salem, Northampton, Northfield, Orange, Wendell & Whately.

them from falling apart when wet. These boxes do not break down in the paper recycling or composting process, and must go in the trash.

BUBBLE WRAP & INFLATED PLASTIC PACKAGING

(Air pillows) (see “Plastics”)

BUILDING & REMODELING MATERIALS

Construction & demolition (“C&D”) waste includes asphalt, asphalt shingles, bricks, cement, cinder blocks, clapboard, concrete, doors, flooring, insulation, lumber, mortar, plaster, plywood, roofing, sheetrock, tiles, windows & wood. Fee-based disposal options are available at most recycling/transfer stations; call your Town DPW for more information. Vehicles with a capacity greater than 5 cubic yards are subject to strict disposal requirements for C&D wastes in MA. For more information: www.mass.gov/ lists/managing-construction-demolition-cd-wastes. Used building materials (in good condition) can be donated for re-use. The following organizations will accept some reusable items. Call prior to delivery to confirm that your materials will be accepted, or to arrange for free pickup. Deconstruction services may be offered. Items might be tax-deductible. • EcoBuilding Bargains, 83 Warwick St., Springfield, MA (413-788-6900; ecobuildingbargains.org) • Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Westfield: 301 East Main St., Westfield, MA 01085 (413-642-8990; www.restorewestfield.com)

Wooden pallets can be reused or recycled as “clean wood waste.” Disposal options for large quantities include (but are not limited to) Martin’s • Frozen food boxes, ice Farm (Greenfield: 413-774cream cartons, case boxes 5631), Gold Circuit E-Cycling from soda or beer, and (Palmer: 888-283-0007), kitty litter boxes are not Index Packaging (NH: 800acceptable in recycling or 662-3626), 360 Recycling composting. These boxes (Westfield: 413-562-0193). are made with “wet strength Note: pressure-treated paper,” a special plastic-re- wood should only be disposed inforced material that keeps of in a modern landfill. Don’t

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

put it in a backyard compost pile, a brush or chipping pile; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t burn it or send it to a waste incinerator for disposal.

CAMERAS

Staples stores, Best Buy stores, and many electronic waste (e-waste) recycling programs accept digital cameras for free. Canon has a mail-in recycling program: shop.usa. canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ recycling.

CANNING JARS

them for special recycling, as do Home Depot, Lowes, and Staples stores; participants in the Call2Recycle program: www.call2recycle.org.

CHRISTMAS TREES (see â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yard Wasteâ&#x20AC;?)

CIGARETTE BUTTS

Terracycleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cigarette Waste Brigadeâ&#x20AC;? (Terracycle.com) accepts extinguished cigarettes, filters, loose tobacco pouches, outer plastic and inner foil packaging for recycling into plastic pallets and other products.

Canning jars (e.g. mason jars) are not recyclable because of the thick, heat resistant glass. Reuse, give to a friend who CLAMSHELLS & CLEAR MOLDED PLASTICS can use them, put in a tag sale or swap shop at a transfer (see â&#x20AC;&#x153;Plasticsâ&#x20AC;?) station, or place in the trash.

CARPET

FlorÂŽ offers a free mail-back recycling program for carpet squares (www.flor.com/recycle). Some nonprofit organizations accept relatively clean carpet for reuse.

CLEANERS

(see â&#x20AC;&#x153;Household Hazardous Wasteâ&#x20AC;?)

CLOTHING & TEXTILES

mailed to The Bra Recyclers for distribution to women in transition around the world: www.brarecycling.com; 480988-2283. Some non-profit organizations target specific types of clothing to benefit those in need, such as professional clothing and wedding dresses (westernmass.dressforsuccess.org; www.donatemyweddingdress.org).

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 | S7

(see â&#x20AC;&#x153;Building & Remodeling Materialsâ&#x20AC;?)

COOKING OIL

Never pour cooking oil down the drain. Liquids should be kept out of trash, recycling, and municipal compost bins. Lifecycle Renewables accepts vegetable oil by appointment from individuals. It also provides containers and pays

COAT HANGERS

Do not put hangers in recycling bins: hangers get caught in machinery at recycling facilities. Some charitable organizations accept hangers for reuse or resale. Metal hangers are accepted for reuse by some dry cleaners & are also accepted for recycling as scrap metal at most recycling/transfer stations. Unfortunately, plastic hangers are not recyclable and should be thrown away when they are no longer usable.

for the oil at food service providers: 888.461.9831, www. lifecyclerenewables.com. Lifecycle Renewablesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; used cooking oil is transformed into replacements for fossil fuels. Western Mass Rendering provides dumpsters for large collections: www.westernmassrendering.com; 413-5696265. SEE WHAT, PAGE S8

Sparkyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Services â&#x20AC;˘ Junk Removal â&#x20AC;˘ Landscape Design â&#x20AC;˘ Spring and Fall Cleanups â&#x20AC;˘ Bobcat Work â&#x20AC;˘ Pruning & Trimming â&#x20AC;˘ Tree Removal â&#x20AC;˘ Loam, Mulch, Rock Delivery & Installation â&#x20AC;˘ Fully Insured Discounts for Seniors,

Local reuse & donation opporMilitary, Veterans, First Responders tunities exist for all textiles & and orders over $1000 shoes. Deliver CLEAN & DRY textiles & clothing to donation COMPACT FLUORESCENT sparkysservicesma@gmail.com â&#x20AC;˘ 413-654-0732 LAMPS ď &#x17D; centers & drop-off boxes for CARTONS & Goodwill Industries (www. DRINK BOXES (â&#x20AC;&#x153;see Mercury & Mercury-conov l . c o m a m h e r s t j u n k r e m ova goodwill.org) & the Salvation In dual stream recycling protaining Productsâ&#x20AC;?) grams, â&#x20AC;&#x153;paperâ&#x20AC;? cartons should Army (easternusa.salvationarmy.org). DO include items be recycled with bottles & COMPUTERS & TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S cans (â&#x20AC;&#x153;gable topsâ&#x20AC;? for milk and that are torn, stained, with (see â&#x20AC;&#x153;Electronicsâ&#x20AC;?) missing buttons or broken orange juice, â&#x20AC;&#x153;aseptic pack$100 Off $1000 zippers, as these organizaagingâ&#x20AC;? for almond milk, soup, CONSTRUCTION & or more DEMOLITION WASTE juice boxes). Rinse containers. tions sell damaged textiles to recyclers to be made into Discard straws; plastic caps insulation. Acceptable items & spouts may stay. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ininclude these CLEAN & DRY clude foil drink pouches (e.g., items: mismatched socks, Capri Sun, Honest Kids) with shoes and gloves; all clothyour bottles & cans. ing and accessories including belts, ties, underwear & CARTRIDGES purses; and linens such as (see â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ink, Printer & Toner (;3,5(6 2SHQ 'XULQJ &29,' curtains, pillows, comforters, Cartridgesâ&#x20AC;?) sheets, towels, and stuffed animals in any condition. Some CELL PHONES ď &#x17D; animal shelters also accept Cell phones shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be old sheets, blankets, pillowthrown away due to their reuse value & hazardous/recy- cases, bedspreads, throw rugs & towels for reuse. clable components. NumerTo find local clothing ous charitable & for-profit organizations accept cell phone consignment stores or quality used clothing, go to www. donations. Search online thethriftshopper.com. See using â&#x20AC;&#x153;cell phone donationâ&#x20AC;? KĆ&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;ĹśÍ&#x2014; DĹ˝ĹśÄ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x2021;Ć? Î&#x2DC; tÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161;ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ä&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x2021;Ć? Ďľ D Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ď°WDÍ&#x2022; ^Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;ĆľĆ&#x152;Ä&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x2021;Ć? Ďľ D Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ ĎWD also www.thredUP.com, www. or check out www.recycling Ĺ˝Ć&#x152; sĹ?Ć?Ĺ?Ć&#x161; KĆľĆ&#x152; tÄ&#x17E;Ä? ^Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ä¨Ĺ˝Ć&#x152; DĹ˝Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E; /ĹśÄ¨Ĺ˝ Î&#x2DC; WĆ&#x152;Ĺ?Ä?Ĺ?ĹśĹ? swap.com, www.refashioner. forcharities.com, www.call2recycle.org or www.earth911. com, and wornwear.patagonia. ZZZ 1('7 RUJ com. com. Stores that sell cell Bras can be donated to phones will also accept them Salvation Army or Goodwill; for free recycling, and many cell phone manufacturers offer any items that are not in good condition will be baled and buy-back programs through sold for textile recycling. New the mail. Many municipal & gently used bras can be transfer stations also accept

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CORKS

Corks should not be put in your recycling bin. Natural corks can be crumbled & added to a backyard compost bin, or put in municipal/ commercial composting. ReCORK (www.recork.org) recycles natural wine & champagne corks (no plastic or metal corks); Whole Foods in Hadley and Ryan & Casey Liquors in Greenfield are ReCork collection sites. Yemm & Hart pays for large volumes of corks mailed to them, and accepts (but doesn’t pay for) plastic corks: www.yemmhart.com. Wine corks can be reused in many creative ways (search online for “cork art”).

cans. Paper & Styrofoam egg cartons are not recyclable, but are often reused by backyard chicken farmers. Paper cartons may be composted in municipal compost collections or in home compost bins, if ripped into pieces.

ELECTRONICS 

State regulations prohibit disposal of screen-based electronics such as laptops, tablets, iPads, Kindles, flat screen TVs, monitors and CRTs (cathode ray tubes) in household trash, but many items with power cords can be recycled. Most municipal transfer stations offer electronics recycling programs, although disposal fees may apply. Electronics that are mostly metal, such as computer towers and DVD players, can also go in scrap metal recycling. Staples stores accept comCOSMETICS CONTAINERS puter-related electronic waste Origins offers free recycling of for free recycling. Staples does not accept TVs. Stamake-up packaging, regardless of brand. Empty cosmetic ples stores also offer a reuse tubes, bottles, lipstick covers, program. Best Buy accepts a wide range of electronic waste jars & caps can be brought for free recycling, but charges to an Origins retail store or $25 for TVs. For more infordepartment store counter mation, call your local store or nationwide: www.origins. com/our-commitment. Other visit their website and search mail-in recycling programs for for “recycling.” Computer manufacturers offer a variety empty cosmetics containers of electronic recycling procan be found at www.macgrams, including (but not limcosmetics.com/giving_back/ ited to) Apple, Dell, Gateway, back_to_mac.tmpl and www. Hewlett-Packard, Panasonic, terracycle.com. Sony & Toshiba. Visit their websites for details. Various CUPS As of July 1, 2020, clear plastic charities and non-profits accept donations of working cups will be acceptable in electronics, including local municipal recycling that is Salvation Army and Goodwill processed at the Springfield stores. Always call ahead to MRF (springfieldmrf.org). ask if they can accept your Remove lids and straws and item. place in trash. Other plastic cups, such as polystyrene (#6 plastic), colored keg cups, and ELECTRONIC MEDIA (CDs, DVDs) opaque plastic cups, are not Do not add electronic media acceptable for recycling and must go in the trash. If a clear to your household recycling. cup is labeled “compostable,” CD cases easily shatter and it should NOT go in recycling. the glass-like shards create hazards and other problems at Compostable cups may go the recycling facility. If selling in municipal or commercial or donating used media is compost programs. These not an option (some commuproducts are not designed nities accept certain types to degrade in home compost via book donation programs), bins or piles. GreenDisk.com offers a fee-based, mail-in recycling EGG CARTONS Clear plastic egg cartons may option. be recycled with bottles &

EYEGLASSES

To donate your eyeglass frames and prescription lenses for reuse, look for a Lion’s Club eyeglass collection box in your local Post Office or wherever eyeglasses are sold, or mail to: Lions Clubs International Headquarters, 300 W. 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL 60523. New Eyes for the Needy is another mail-in reuse option: www.new-eyes.org/ join-the-vision. If reuse is not appropriate, eyeglasses should be placed in household trash, as they are not recyclable.

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call your local Fire Department. Do not throw unused fireworks in the trash.

FLAGS

For the proper disposal of U.S. flags no longer in usable condition, contact the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), civic groups, senior centers or Scout troops.

ing cards & recycle button batteries in battery recycling programs (see “Batteries”). St. Jude’s Ranch for Children runs a greeting card reuse program (stjudesranch.org); mail cards to: St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude’s St., Boulder City, NV 89005.

HEARING AIDS

The Starkey Hearing Foundation operates a hearing device reuse program. Mail FLUORESCENT BULBS to: Starkey Hearing Foun& LAMPS  (see “Mercury & Mercury-con- dation, ATTN: Hearing Aid Recycling, 6700 Washingtaining Products”) ton Avenue South, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. (www. FOOD SCRAPS FERTILIZERS & starkeyhearingfoundation. (also see “Cooking Oil”) PESTICIDES  org/hearing-aid-recycling) If Food scraps and leftovers (see “Household Hazardous your hearing aid is not worth are heavy to transport and Waste”) salvaging, remove & recycle contribute to climate change FIRE EXTINGUISHERS  when they decompose in land- the button battery in a battery recycling program (see “BatFire extinguishers are consid- fills; composting food waste teries”), then place the device ered hazardous because their makes better environmental in the trash. sense. Local composting opcontents are under pressure. tions include home compostUnits manufactured prior to ing, municipal transfer station HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS 1984 may contain dangerous WASTE  programs (in Amherst, Berchemicals. For disposal and First, consider using up the nardston, Conway, Deerfield, recycling: Greenfield, Leverett, New Sa- product according to package • Businesses & property lem, Northampton, Northfield, directions, or giving it away managers can contact their to someone who will. ProdOrange, Wendell & Whately; fire control service providand (where available) curbside ucts with warnings & words er. like caustic, toxic, corrosive, pick-up by a private waste • Residents can call their hauler. Find a hauler near you poison, flammable, danger & local fire department for “keep out of reach of children” at: recyclingworksma.com. local disposal options. Many municipalities offer dis- on the label require special handling. Check your town counted purchase programs • Some municipal transfer for countertop collection pails website for local hazardous stations accept newer fire waste collection options. New and home compost bins. For extinguishers for speEngland Disposal Technolohome composting instruccial recycling along with gies (Westfield, MA) accepts propane tanks; check with tions, visit Mass.gov and many household hazardous search for “home compost.” your town website or call wastes year-round for modest your DPW for local inforfees (nedt.org; 866-769-1621). FRUIT SNACK POUCHES mation. For safe alternatives to haz(see “Plastic Pouches”) • Some municipal hazardous ardous household products waste collections may acvisit: www.lesstoxicguide.ca, FURNITURE cept older fire extinguishor www.ecocycle.org/hazFurniture in good condition ers: ask before bringing waste/ecofriendly-cleaning. can be sold or donated for them to a collection reuse. Donating mattresses • MA Fire Technologies & box springs can be difficult, INK, PRINTER & TONER accepts all types of fire as most charities don’t accept CARTRIDGES extinguishers for a small Local schools & non-profit them. When you purchase a fee (49 Heywood Ave, West new mattress, ask the retailer organizations often collect Springfield; www.massfire. to take back and recycle the cartridges for fundraising com; 800-244-6769). purposes, and Staples accepts old one. used cartridges for reuse • New England Disposal or recycling (earn Staples GOLF BALLS Technologies (Westfield, rewards). Other options may Contact local golf courses or MA) accepts fire extinbe found via a search on www. driving ranges to see if they guishers year-round for earth911, or find mail-in dowill accept them for reuse. modest fees (nedt.org; nation programs via an online 866-769-1621). search (“cartridge donations”). GREETING CARDS Cards are recyclable with paFIREWORKS  JUNK MAIL & CATALOGS per if they do not contain foil Live fireworks are extremely dangerous, and must be dis- or metallic inks. Remove elec- Unwanted mail & catalogs are recyclable, but it makes tronics from singing greetposed of with great caution;

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normally schedule for every April and October. The April 2020 event has been can• DirectMail.com – free serMARDI GRAS BEADS celled. These collections aim vice to remove your name Mail Mardi Gras beads and to provide a safe, convenient, from commercial mailing lists (www.directmail.com/ trinkets to the Arc of Greater and responsible means of disNew Orleans’ reuse program: posing of prescription drugs, mail_preference); 925 Labarre Road, Metairie, while also educating the gen• Catalog Choice – free LA 70001 (www.arcgno.org; eral public about the potential service to stop delivery of 504-837-5105). for abuse of medications. Find unwanted catalogs (www. an upcoming collection by catalogchoice.org); MATTRESSES & BOX calling 1-800-882-9539 or by SPRINGS visiting www.deadiversion. • OptOutPrescreen.com (see “Furniture”) usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/take– free service to end back. pre-approved credit card MEDICATIONS & If you are unable to deliver & insurance offers (www. PHARMACEUTICALS  medications to a drop box or optoutprescreen.com); Disposal of unwanted media take-back day, medications • YellowPagesGoesGreen cation must be done carefully may be safely disposed of – free service to take your for many reasons. Wastewain the following manner: 1) name off phonebook mailter treatment plants & septic Remove any personal info ing lists (www.yellowpagsystems are not designed to from labels that could be used esgoesgreen.org/stop-yelremove pharmaceuticals from to obtain refills; 2) Render low-pages) wastewater; drugs should medications unattractive to NOT be poured down the children, pets & thieves by KEYS drain or flushed down the dissolving pills or tablets in Old keys can be recycled via toilet. a small amount of water or a scrap metal dumpster at Many area police departrubbing alcohol (pour liquid a municipal transfer station ments offer permanent dropmedication into kitty litter or or brought to a local scrap off boxes for free disposal sand); 3) Place in two sealed metal dealer. of prescription and nonpreplastic bags; and 4) Conceal scription drugs, vitamins, the package in your trash. LATEX PAINT and veterinary medications: If you have large quantities (see “Paint & Paint-related Agawam, Amherst, Ashfield, of medications, consider Products”) Athol, Belchertown, Bernarddisposing of them in smaller ston, Buckland, Chicopee, batches over time. Do not LIGHT BULBS  Cummington, Deerfield, flush prescription drugs down Old fashioned incandescent Easthampton, East Longthe toilet or drain unless the light bulbs and Halogen light meadow, Erving, Goshen, label or accompanying patient bulbs are not recyclable. Granby, Greenfield, Hadley, information specifically inCarefully wrap them in used structs you to do so. paper or plastic before placing Hampden, Hatfield, Holyoke, Leverett, Longmeadow, Due to their small size, them in the trash. Fluorescent Ludlow, Monson, Montague, empty pill bottles are not bulbs & compact fluoresNorthampton, Orange, Palmer, recyclable. Be creative with cent bulbs [“CFLs”] contain Pelham, South Hadley, South- reuse! For example, some mercury vapor and require ampton, Southwick, Sunderanimal shelters collect empty special disposal (see “merland, Ware, West Springfield, pill bottles to send medicines cury & mercury-containing Westfield, Whately, Wilbrahome with adoptees. products”). LED light bulbs do ham, and Williamsburg. You not have to be recycled, but contain valuable materials and do not need to be a resident to MERCURY & use the drop boxes in any of MERCURY-CONTAINING can be recycled with CFLs. these towns. PRODUCTS  Many transfer stations collect Accepted items: prescripMercury is highly toxic & these. Check your town webtion and non-prescription requires special disposal. site or call your DPW for local drugs, vitamins and veterinary It is not hazardous when information. meds. NO liquids, syringes contained in a sealed device. (see ”Needles & Sharps” Reduce exposure by placing LIGHT STRINGS below), IV equipment or cheitems in sealed plastic bags Holiday light strings are motherapy drugs. For more & handling them carefully to NOT recyclable in municipal information visit northwestavoid breakage. Never put recycling programs because ernda.org/drug-drop-boxes. mercury (or items containing they get wrapped around Some locations of national mercury) in trash or recycling sorting equipment. Some chain pharmacies are now bins, or down a drain. Don’t scrap metal dealers and scrap offering free drop boxes for vacuum even the smallest metal dumpsters at transfer prescription medications. Call spill. Instructions for hanstations will accept them for your local store or refer to the dling mercury exposure can recycling. Holiday LEDS has drop boxes for acceptable be found at: www.mass.gov; a mail-in recycling program items. enter “mercury” in the search and sends donors a discount National Prescription bar, or search the web for “brocoupon for a future purchase ken CFL” or “mercury spill.” (www.holidayleds.com/christ- Drug Take-Back Days are more sense to reduce them at the source:

mas-light-recycling-program. aspx).

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 | S9

Call the Mass DEP Mercury Hotline if you have questions about mercury or managing it safely: 866-9MERCURY (866963-7287). Check your town website or call your DPW for local household hazardous waste collections options.

• Fluorescent light bulbs All fluorescent light bulbs (even the low-mercury bulbs with green tips) contain mercury vapor. For assistance, businesses, residents and organizations can call the RecyclingWorks hotline at 1-888-254-5525 or email info@recyclingworksma. com. Recycling options vary based on the type of bulb: • Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) fit in standard screw-type light sockets & are made of a glass tube. They come in a variety of shapes & styles, & can be encased by an outer glass bulb. Free CFL recycling is offered at Home Depot, Lowes, and Solar Store of Greenfield. • Larger fluorescent tubes don’t fit in standard screwtype sockets. These include long straight, circular or U-shaped tubes, tanning bed lamps, High Intensity Discharge (HIDs), & neon light tubing. Accepted at most municipal transfer stations and some Hazardous Waste Collections. Straight lamps and others are accepted at Lowe’s: handle carefully and hand to an employee. • Thermometers Many older household thermometers (fever, candy, meat, deep fry, oven, ambient temperature) contain liquid mercury-based indicators. A mercury thermometer can be identified by the presence of a silver bulb at the end of a glass tube. Accepted in special programs at many municipal transfer stations and some Hazardous Waste Collections. If the bulb is red, blue, purple or green, it is not a mercury thermometer and can go in the trash. • Thermostats Updating to a programmable thermostat? Don’t throw

away your old wall-mounted thermostats: they contain a significant amount of liquid mercury. Leave thermostats in one piece, place in a sealed plastic bag, and handle carefully to avoid breakage. In addition to municipal collection programs (mercury thermostats are accepted for free recycling at many plumbing retail stores (search by zip code using “Plumbing Supplies”). For more locations, go to www.thermostat-recycle.org.

• Ballasts Most fluorescent light fixtures produced before 1979 contained ballasts with PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), a highly toxic substance. PCB-free ballasts are marked “No PCBs.” PCB ballasts are typically collected at the same sites as larger fluorescent tube-type bulbs. Non-PCB ballasts are safe to go into trash, but are not accepted in scrap metal recycling bins.

MICROWAVES

(see “Scrap Metal”)

MOTH BALLS 

(see “Household Hazardous Waste”)

MOTOR OIL & FILTERS  (see “Automotive Products”)

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Donate used musical instruments to Hungry for Music (hungryformusic.org), and they will distribute them to underserved children in the US & abroad. Buy reused instruments locally by searching online.

NEEDLES & SHARPS 

MA Sanitary Code states that it is illegal to dispose of sharps (hypodermic needles, syringes, lancets, & all other “sharps”) as trash. Never put a container full of sharps in your recycling bin. Collection programs are available in many towns; call your Health Department or see a listing of all the sharps programs in the state, go to www.mass.gov SEE WHAT, PAGE S10

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What CONTINUED FROM PAGE S9

and type “needle disposal” in the search bar. Several mailin disposal programs are available; search online for “sharps mail-in programs.” Stericycle is an example of a company that picks up sharps for safe disposal from businesses that generate sharps: www.stericycle.com or 888-989-0338.

PACKAGING MATERIALS

(also see “Plastics”) Online purchasing has increased the amount of packaging in the waste stream. Most of these materials are reusable; some are also recyclable:

(Westfield, MA) accepts paint year-round for modest fees (nedt.org; 866-769-1621).

• Petroleum (oil-based) paints, stains, thinners, & varnishes are considered hazardous materials, requiring proper disposal. • Latex paint & water-based stains can be thrown away when completely hardened. Speed up the process by adding latex paint hardener (available in hardware stores) or by stirring in clean kitty litter to the consistency of thick oatmeal & allowing the mix to harden. When the contents are no longer liquid, you can put the open paint can (without the lid) in your household trash.

PALLETS

• Cardboard boxes can be (see wood under “Building & reused, & flattened boxes Remodeling Materials”) can be recycled in municipal recycling programs. PANTYHOSE • Foam peanuts: see “plastics” Worn-out pantyhose, nylon knee-highs, and tights in any • Cornstarch peanuts may be condition can be sent to Recycomposted in a backyard cled Crafts; they use them to bin, reused, or placed in the make pet toys, rugs, placetrash. However, these are mats, and table runners. Email not accepted by commercial recycledcrafts@live.com for composting facilities or at donation information, or visit: packing shipping stores. savemyhosiery.yolasite.com. • Styrofoam blocks & shapes: see “plastics” PELLET STOVE FUEL

• Packing paper is reusable as BAGS Due to a lack of end markets, well as recyclable. all local recycling programs • Plastic sealed air packaging for pellet bags have been is reusable. Once deflated, stopped. Plastic bags should it can also be recycled with never go into municipal recyplastic bags (see “plastics” cling programs. Some retail for retail store recycling store plastic bag recycling programs). programs will accept pellet • Amazon’s plastic envelope bags (call first). Pellet bags mailers are recyclable with must be dry and completely plastic bags (see “plastics” EMPTY. Flatten and stack for retail store recycling empty bags, roll up the stack programs). Remove or cut and place the roll in an empty out paper labels. pellet bag. Ask your supplier about bulk delivery (which PAINT & PAINT-RELATED eliminates bags), recycling PRODUCTS  programs, or take back proIf your unwanted paint was grams. purchased recently & it’s in good condition, consider PET FOOD BAGS, BIRD donating it for reuse instead SEED BAGS, ANIMAL of throwing it away. Many FEED BAGS school/community theatre Plastic bags that contained groups will accept quality pet food, animal feed, or bird paint products. You may seed are not recyclable in mualso offer useable paint via nicipal recycling or plastic bag an online sharing group (e.g. recycling programs in retail Freecycle.org or a Buy Nothstores. Unfortunately, neither ing Facebook group). New En- are paper feed bags because gland Disposal Technologies they are lined with plastic to

keep moisture out of the feed. However, Terracycle offers a few pet food bag recycling programs, some of which have local drop-off points. Search www.terracycle.com using the brand name of the food. Local efforts such as The Bag Share Project accept certain types of feed bags for reuse: www. thebagshare.org.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Traditional, glossy photographs are not acceptable in recycling because of the photographic chemical coatings in the paper. Old photographs are safe to throw in the trash. More modern photographs may or may not be recyclable depending on the printing process and the type of paper used. Home-printed photographs are acceptable in recycling.

PIZZA BOXES

Grease is a real problem for recycled paper. Only clean and food-free paper portions of pizza boxes can be recycled. The greasy portions must be discarded as trash or composted. In the following communities, residents with transfer station access may deposit soiled pizza box material in municipal compost programs: Amherst, Conway, Bernardston, Deerfield, Greenfield (open to non-residents), Leverett, New Salem, Northampton, Northfield, Orange, Wendell & Whately.

PLASTICS

Many people assume that all plastic items are recycled, but recycling is demand-based; only those plastics that can be made cost-effectively into new products are collected. Please note that plastic containers from food, beverage, soap and personal care products are the ONLY type of plastic suitable for your household recycling bin. All other forms of plastic must go to a separate, special collection or into the trash. Containers from food, soap and personal products The following items are welcome in your household recycling bin: plastic containers from food, beverage, soap or personal care products in the form of bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs (less than 2.5 gallons

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in size) and clear clamshell-type containers. Plastic bottle caps & plastic tub lids are also recyclable, but they must be attached to the container (not loose). When possible, flatten containers before affixing caps & lids (push caps inside container if they won’t stay on). As of July 1, 2020, clear plastic cups are now accepted in municipal recycling in the 65 communities that send recyclables to the Springfield MRF. Rinse the clear cups clean and place lids and straws in the trash. If a clear cup is labeled compostable, it should not go in recycling. Visit springfieldmrf. org for details and user-friendly graphics about household container recycling. Do not put plastic bags, Styrofoam, black plastic, compostable serving items, and containers that held hazardous materials (such as automotive oil or degreasers) in your household recycling. See “Keep These Plastics out of the Recycling Bin” for additional details. Keep These Plastics Out of Your Recycling Bin! Some plastic items cost too much to recycle, cause problems at recycling facilities, are unwanted by manufacturers or are recyclable only through separate recycling programs. Please do not add these to your household or municipal recycling mix: • Plastic bags, plastic wraps • Black plastic (microwavable containers, food trays, etc.) • Forks, spoons, knives & serving utensils • Plastic plates, plastic cups that are opaque or colored (clear plastic cups now accepted in recycling) • Tubes (e.g. toothpaste, cosmetics, hair products) • Plastic containers greater than 2.5 gallons in size • Plastic containers which once held toxic substances (e.g. automotive oil) • Containers or cups labeled “biodegradable” or “compostable” • Foam items (e.g. “aka Styrofoam®” cups, egg cartons, food containers & trays,

packing material) • Molded plastic packaging (the type that requires a sharp object to open) • Binders, folders & plastic-coated (usually shiny) paper • Compact disks and cases, video & audio tapes • Plant pots & garden trays • Six-pack rings (cut them up & then put in trash) • Plexiglass • PVC products (pipes, siding, etc.) • Manufactured plastic wood (decking material) Bags & wrap (Do NOT place in household recycling bin) Never place plastic bags or wrap in a household, municipal, or commercial recycling mix. Because of the safety hazards, machinery malfunctions, and environmental problems they create, they are only collected separately in retail and grocery store programs. Clean and dry plastic bags and some forms of clear plastic film (such as bubble & case wraps) are recyclable only via special bins inside grocery stores and other retailers (e.g. Big Y, Stop & Shop, Target, Walmart, Lowe’s, Staples). In general, plastic bags and wraps are recyclable if they are: 1) clear or translucent; 2) moderately stretchy; and 3) free of all paper and food residue. An important exception to this criteria is household food or “cling” wrap (Saran® and Glad ® wrap), which are not accepted in these programs and must be placed in the trash. See the table, “Plastic Bag Recycling, “in this guide, or visit plasticfilmrecycling.org for additional details.

PLASTIC BAG RECYCLING IN RETAIL STORES ONLY: Never place plastic bags of any kind in your home recycling bin!

Dispose of the following bags & wrap in your trash: soiled (dirt, food residue), greasy, wet, painted or embellished (glitter, paper labels), nonstretchy or crinkly food bags (e.g. from pre-washed lettuce, grapes frozen foods, Legos), and bags from heavy

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items such as soil, mulch and driveway salt. Any bags labeled compostable should be composted or placed in the trash. YES - DO RECYCLE in stores: • Bags MUST be empty, clean and dry without receipts, coins, or trash.

the “yes” column • NO soil or sand bags What about pellet stove fuel bags? • Some retail stores accept (call to ask).

or at special collection events and transport it to a special foam recycling facility. Gold Circuit E-Cycling in Palmer (888-283-0007, goldcircuitecycling.com) accepts white chunk foam from the public for a fee.

• Foam shipping peanuts: Although difficult to recycle, foam peanuts are highly • Clean, dry plastic bags reusable. Some local retail • Gold Circuit E-Cycling in shipping outlets accept clean labeled #2 or #4: Palmer recycles: & dry peanuts (call first; “HDPE,” “PE-HD” OR , (888) 283-0007; search for a store near you at “LDPE,” “LLDPE” www.goldcircuitecycling.com www.theupsstore.com). Or, Including: offer them for local reuse via • Pellet bags MUST be dry • Grocery & produce bags an online sharing group such and empty: cut bottom and as Freecycle.org or a “Buy • Newspaper bags top to release all pellets. Nothing” Facebook group. The • Dry cleaning bags (no reAmherst Transfer Station opceipts/staples) For more about plastic bag erates a free shipping peanut recycling, and to see pictures • Plastic cereal bags (if it exchange for permit holders. of acceptable items, see: plastears like paper do not • Foam cups, plates, and ticfilmrecycling.org. include) trays: not currently accepted • Sandwich/Ziploc bags and Bulky, rigid plastic objects at any recycling facilities. bread bags: no crumbs, oils, (Do NOT place in household Place in trash. food (remove large zippers) recycling bin) Many items are reusable until TOOTHBRUSHES AND • Retail bags (#2 or #4) with RAZORS string/hard plastic handles broken or damaged; offer (see “Toothpaste Tubes, them for free on an online removed toothbrushes”) sharing group (e.g. Freecycle. • Plastic outer wrap from org or a Buy Nothing Facepackages of toilet paper, pa- book group). Only clean, mold- PLASTIC POUCHES per napkins, paper towels, Flexible plastic pouches, that ed, rigid plastic pails, bins, diapers, sanitary products crates, baskets, totes, barrels, applesauce/fruit, yogurt, baby food, and health/beauty prodwheeled trash toters (metal • Bubble wrap, air pillows, ucts, are NOT recyclable in and wheels removed), and Tyvek/plastic envelopes municipal recycling programs. rigid plastic lawn furniture (deflate air pillows/remove Terracycle runs several differare recyclable via specialized labels) ent mail-in recycling programs collection programs. • Case wrap from cases of All other bulky plastic items for pouches and caps; go to: water, canned pet food, www.terracycle.com and type belong in the trash or bulky soda, etc. “pouches” in the search bar. waste if unusable, including Please remove all residual • Stretch wrap from furniture toys, outdoor play structures, food and liquid. or electronics clothes hangers, shelving, kiddie pools, plant pots and NO - DO NOT RECYCLE PRESSURE-TREATED nursery/garden trays. in stores: • NO bags with food or moisture • NO garbage bags • NO food or cling wrap (Saran) • NO pet food product bags • NO coffee bags • NO prepackaged food bags (frozen food or prewashed salad) • NO chip bags, granola bar/ candy wrappers • NO bags with paint or glue • NO compostable plastic bags • NO bag with a recycling symbol or # other than those described in

• Franklin County residents, see: www.franklincountywastedistrict.org

LUMBER

Foam (Do NOT place in household recycling bin) The recycling market for rigid foam material (aka Styrofoam® or expanded polystyrene) is expanding, but some types remain difficult to recycle. Rigid foam products may be divided into the general categories of shipping peanuts, large chunks, and food-related serve ware (cups, plates, trays): • Large, rigid foam chunks: Large pieces of rigid white, clean and dry foam are recyclable only through a special, separate collection. Some communities collect this foam at municipal transfer stations

(see “Building & Remodeling Materials”)

PROPANE TANKS 

Larger varieties of propane tanks can be refilled, and many businesses that sell propane will accept tanks for reuse under specific conditions. Tanks are recyclable in special programs at transfer stations or recycling centers. Do not put tanks in scrap metal dumpsters or household recycling or trash. Do not puncture. Close the valves on barbeque grill size tanks. Some recyclers also accept small camping type tanks. Check your town website or call your DPW for local op-

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 | S11

tions; find commercial options at www.earth911.com.

uments recycled is to bring them to area businesses (e.g. copy shops, office supply, and shipping stores) for secure PYREX, CERAMIC AND shredding. The material they PORCELAIN PRODUCTS Offer for reuse. Do not recycle; generate moves directly to paper mills, which avoids the dispose as trash. Colorful ceramic/porcelain items (even scattering and contamination that ensues at a household broken ones) are sometimes recycling facility. In addition, used by local arts centers or local banks often sponsor craftspeople, so a phone call, spring and fall shredding or a post to an online sharing events. Otherwise, dispose of group (e.g. Freecycle.org or a Buy Nothing Facebook group) shredded paper as trash. may help extend their usefulSMOKE & CARBON MONness.

SCRAP METAL

Many metal items (like bicycles or BBQ grills) can be repaired, sold or donated to extend their useful life. Because of the usefulness & value of metal, state regulations prohibit throwing aluminum, steel, iron, lead, stainless steel, copper, brass, or bronze scrap in the trash. Some metal items, such as batteries, propane tanks, helium tanks, ballasts, air conditioners and refrigerators, and automotive parts require special handling due to toxic or pressurized materials. Many municipal transfer stations and recycling centers have scrap metal dumpsters for the recycling of scrap metal. Or, search online under “metal recycling” for the scrap yard nearest you and its requirements. Suitable scrap items should be mostly metal by weight; if possible, plastics should be removed.

SHOES

OXIDE DETECTORS

Remove all non-alkaline batteries and dispose of them appropriately (see ”Batteries”). Most household smoke detectors contain a small amount of a radioactive element, Americium-241. The quantity in each unit is considered harmless, but its presence is worrisome enough that retailer and manufacturer take-back programs exist. Ask at your local store or google the manufacturer’s name with “smoke detector recycling” for program and shipping details. Curieservices.com offers a fee-based, mail-in smoke alarm recycling program. Some communities allow smoke detectors to be thrown away in the bulky waste container at a recycling/transfer station. Carbon monoxide detectors are not considered hazardous, and can be safely disposed of in the trash after removing (and recycling) all non-alkaline batteries.

Clean, gently used shoes are usually accepted for reuse and resale by organizations that collect clothing donations. Organizations that specialize in shoe reuse include soles4souls.org, rerunshoes. com, and oneworldrunning. com. Shoes in poor condition can be recycled into rubber playground material and other uses. Visit a donation organization’s website to discover if they accept worn shoes.

SPORTS EQUIPMENT

SHREDDED PAPER

(see “Electronics”)

As of July 1, 2020, shredded paper will no longer be acceptable in western Massachusetts’ household/municipal paper recycling program. Going forward, the best way to get your confidential doc-

Sporting equipment exchange/donation options are found locally via charitable organizations such as schools, Scout troops, or the Lion’s Club. Sharing via online groups (e.g. Freecycle.org or a Buy Nothing Facebook group) has become very popular.

STYROFOAM

(see “Plastics: Foam”)

TELEVISIONS

TENNIS BALLS

Check with your local animal shelter or elementary school to see if they accept tennis SEE WHAT, PAGE S12

S12 | FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Home

What CONTINUED FROM PAGE S11

Composting

Composting IS easy and can help reduce your household waste by 50% or more!

Over 50 western Massachusetts municipalities sell wildlife-resistant compost bins at cost or below, ranging from $25-$50. To find out where to purchase a bin from your city or town, contact your community representative listed on the community info page in this guide, or call your town hall. Compost bins are also available at local garden centers and online. Ideally, a home compost bin should contain about 75% “brown” carbon-rich materials such as leaves, straw, used

paper towels, napkins, ripped up egg cartons, paper bags, or newspaper, and 25% “green” nitrogen-rich materials such as food waste and grass clippings. Add a couple shovelfuls of yard or garden soil to introduce helpful microorganisms. In your kitchen, use a small pail to collect fruit and vegetable trimmings, eggshells, coffee grounds and filters, stale bread and leftover grains. (In the summer, some people store their compostables in the freezer to avoid fruit flies.) Add these “green” materials to your bin by making a hole in the center of the pile, dumping the kitchen scraps in the hole and covering the scraps with soil, leaves, or other carbon-rich materials. Burying the fresh kitchen scraps eliminates

flies and odor and speeds up the compost process. Do not compost pet wastes, meat, bones, poultry, fish, dairy, and oily foods such as peanut butter or salad dressing. The composting process needs oxygen; stir the pile occasionally with a shovel or pitchfork. Add water as needed to keep the contents as damp as a wrung out sponge. Finished compost can be added to gardens and lawns to enrich the soil. Compost reduces the need to water, and reduces the purchase of bagged fertilizers and topsoil, again saving money and resources. For more information, see the MassDEP’s compost page: https://www. mass.gov/composting-organics.

ball donations (schools use them to reduce the noise and impact of chairs/desks on floors). A mail-in recycling program is available at tennisballrecycling.com.

TEXTILES

(see “Clothing & Textiles”)

THERMOMETERS & THERMOSTATS 

VEHICLES

Old vehicles, even inoperable ones, are valued for spare parts and metal. Consider donating them to a charitable organization (might be tax deductible). Contact your favorite charity or search online for “auto (or vehicle/truck/ motorcycle/boat) donation.” Alternatively, search the Internet under “Auto Wreckers & Salvage.”

WOOD

(see “Building & Remodeling (see “Mercury & Mercury-con- Materials”) taining Products”)

TOOTHPASTE TUBES, TOOTHBRUSHES

X-RAY FILM

There are no special disposal requirements, but x-rays do These items are not recyclable contain a small amount of silin household/municipal recy- ver. Many hospital radiology cling, but Terracycle.com runs departments will accept them a mail-in recycling program for recycling. that accepts them, along with floss containers, and some YARD WASTE packaging. Preserve® brand (Leaves, grass, brush, Christtoothbrushes (and razors) can mas trees) be dropped off at the HadThrowing away leaf & yard ley Whole Foods’ customer waste as trash is prohibited service desk, or mailed in (visit by State regulations. Some www.preserve.eco for “Gimme communities collect organic 5” program details). yard waste for wood chip production or composting; ask TROPHIES your community representaContact your local trophy tive (local website or DPW) shop to see if they can reuse for specifics . Goat farmers your old trophies. A Wisconoften accept bare Christmas sin-based trophy organization trees as food. Visit mass.gov/ offers a mail-in reuse program composting-organics to learn (awardsmall.com...search for about composting yard waste “recycling”), and a Massachu- in your backyard. setts company accepts only sports medals/medallions YOGA MATS (visit sportsmedalrecycling. Yoga mats are not recyclable, com). but can be repurposed. Search the web for “yoga mat reuse,” TYVEK ENVELOPES or offer via an online sharing Tyvek envelopes (large, white group (e.g. Freecycle.org or a envelopes that won’t rip: often Buy Nothing Facebook group). from express shipments) are made of high-density polyethylene plastic and must be Please help us to placed in the trash. Please do improve this guide for not put Tyvek material in muthe next edition! If you nicipal/household recycling.

encounter errors or have suggestions for changes VASES Glass vases are not recyclable. or additions, contact us Donate to a local garden club, at PioneerValleyRRR@ swap shop, or local florist(s) gmail.com. Thank you! for reuse (call first).

VEGETABLE OIL

(see “Cooking Oil”)

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 | S13

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Springfield By Keith O’Connor

gle stream,” in which paper and containers are collected The Springfield MRF, which and stored together. Currently, 74 western Massachusetts has been the cornerstone of municipalities are under a the recycling programs for contractual agreement until most towns in western MasJuly 1, 2020, to deliver their sachusetts for over 25 years, recyclables to the Springfield is one experiment that has MRF and the alternate facility. worked. Arlene Miller, a member of The Springfield MRF (prothe Springfield MRF Advisory nounced “murf ”), located Board, believes the experion Birnie Avenue in Springment – the only one of its kind field, sorts and bales plastic, in Massachusetts after the aluminum, steel, and carstate abandoned the idea to tons, paper, and cardboard, open more, despite its success processing 40,000 tons of – worked because of the three recyclables each year. After components of the model, sorting and baling, the MRF which is a public/private partsells recyclables to manufacturers who use the material as nership. “First, it is a regional feedstock in manufacturing contract. 100 public commuvarious products. Recycled nities were invited to join and materials are in demand as well over 80 towns joined in an alternative to more costly and energy consumptive raw the beginning. That gave us buying and negotiating power, materials. The Birnie Avenue site pro- which resulted in a favorable contract between the operacesses recyclable paper and tor and the towns. Secondly, containers separately, which there is a private operator, is known as “dual stream” Waste Management Recyprocessing. An alternate delivery location is provided for cling America, who knows the business and has the capital MRF municipalities that collect their recyclables in a “sin- to run a quality MRF. Third SPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN

and very important, having the Department of Environmental Protection as an active partner, with a signature on the contract with the operator and the municipalities, is huge. DEP represents authority and statewide knowledge,” she said. But Miller noted the public/ private partnership, which has served the region so well

MRF

more attractive to recycle since everything could now be placed into one curbside bin - paper, plastic, cardboard and glass. But single-stream recycling comes with a cost. When it is processed (separated), operators find many of the items placed into some of those recycling bins actually could not be recycled. And there was also the issue of

material, announced new import purity standards and when most American material did not meet the new standards, the buyer of half of U.S. recyclables disappeared overnight. And that set the recyclables market into a tailspin. A market glut and falling commodity values followed. “The China event affected the Springfield MRF operator

The Springfield MRF (pronounced “murf”), located on Birnie Avenue in Springfield, sorts and bales plastic, aluminum, steel, and cartons, paper, and cardboard, processing 40,000 tons of recyclables each year. After sorting and baling, the MRF sells recyclables to manufacturers who use the material as feedstock in manufacturing various products. for such a long time, almost disappeared. So, what happened? Along came single stream recycling into the mix around 2005, making it easier and

contamination from food and waste rendering significant amounts unusable. As a result of that growing contamination, China, a major importer of recyclable

financially. When the markets dropped so significantly, the profit to the MRF operator dropped. The communities SEE MRF PAGE S14

S14 | FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

MRF

Year Round Service

3133548-01

Springfield MRF’s recyclables do not go to China, the facility was now at the mercy of a CONTINUED FROM PAGE S13 depressed, nation-wide, recyclables market. To address in the contract with the MRF were not affected at first—be- this, most MRF operators now cause the contract—the 3-way include an upfront processing fee in new contracts, noted contract—protected them. It guaranteed a zero tip fee until Michael Pattavina, Franklin County Rep, Springfield MRF July 1, 2020,” Miller said. Advisory Board, a change A tip fee – the amount of dollars levied on anyone by an which would soon affect the MRF on the amount of waste municipalities in the Springreceived for processing – was field MRF – who were paying All Food Types Bucket w/ Service eliminated as a way to make nothing – as a new contract was being drawn up to go into joining the Springfield MRF more attractive to municipal- effect several months from now. ities, and to encourage the The process to write, bid concept of recycling some 30 and sign a new contract or years ago. move on to some other model, Although most of the began over a year ago. After many months of negotiations and research by the MRF Advisory Board, the dust has settled and they are now moving forward, but with a slightly different model that represents a shift in who takes the greater market risk (the communities). Most U.S. and eastern Massachusetts communities, however, have been navigating the new recycling climate for months. The new MRF contract – the bid was again won by the current operator, Waste Management Recycling America – now requires dual stream towns to pay a $93.50 per ton processing fee. However, the contract also provides for a revenue share between the MRF operator and participating communities. The revenue share is based on the market value of the recyclables and will be applied monthly • 311 WELLS ST. GREENFIELD, MA 01301 PVSQUARED.COOP to offset the processing fee. The average market values for

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MRF recyclables, for example, in December 2019 was $22.80 ton. If the market value reaches or exceeds the processing fee, the cost to municipalities will decrease significantly. In the face of paying upfront, most MRF communities spent months looking for other options, for any way that they could reduce the cost burden. Some of the single stream municipalities did leave the Springfield MRF – West Springfield, Springfield, Westfield, Agawam and Chicopee – which will now numbers about 70, a slight reduction from their current number. In the end, for most it became clear that the public private partnership offers the best MRF service and long-term financial stability for the communities in western Massachusetts. And, it was the actions of the MRF Advisory Board working in collaboration with the communities and MassDEP that worked to convince the vast majority of the communities to stay together in the unique partnership. “Moving forward with the new contract, we will need to continue to work as a partner with the operator, municipalities and the DEP. The Advisory Board represents all of the municipalities and we are charged to educate them about good recycling practices and foster good communications between the municipalities and the operator,” Miller said, noting what you put in your bin matters.

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 | S15

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Recycling’s most

D E T N UNWA

All the items listed here are NOT able to be recycled through your curbside or drop-off recycling collections in Western MA.

Below is an explanation of WHY they are not acceptable. Please bear in mind that all materials collected for recycling are sorted and then baled and sent to a vendor to be turned into new materials. It is very important for these vendors that the materials be clean and correctly sorted. If there is NO MARKET for a material, EVEN IF IT APPEARS to be recyclable, then that material cannot be collected. Materials are sorted both by machinery and also by hand. Adding materials which cannot be recycled means those materials will have to be sorted out from the proper recyclables and then THROWN AWAY. This adds both time and expense to the recycling process, so

PLEASE DO NOT include any of the following items:

Plastic Bags: These cannot be recycled through your recycling program because they wrap around the conveyor belt at the recycling facility, which causes the line to be shut down in order to strip away all the bags. Bags CAN be recycled through your local grocery stores. Bagged Materials: These

cannot be recycled both because they include plastic bags (see above) but also because they would need to be opened by hand to sort materials. There is neither the time nor the personnel to accommodate this. Bagged materials will be THROWN AWAY.

be left inside of recyclables, nor placed in a recycling collection bin. Think of the icky mess and the sorters having to handle the waste! Food waste CAN BE COMPOSTED. Check with your municipality for options including compost bin purchase programs.

Hazardous Waste Containers: Hazardous

Items that Wrap and Tangle: chemicals leach into plastics, Includes items such as hoses, light strings, anything which could wrap around a conveyor belt (think of materials which clog up a lawnmower, for instance). These materials are both non-recyclable and cause the line to be shut down at the recycling facility.

rendering the plastic unfit for other uses. Please deposit empty containers which have held hazardous chemicals into the trash.

Styrofoam: Expanded polystyrene (EPS, trademarked ‘Styrofoam’) is not accepted at local recycling facilities, as its light Syringes: These are a bio weight makes it too costly to hazard and pose a danger ship. However, EPS can be to workers. Needles of any shredded and compressed kind should be disposed into blocks to be transformed of properly through a into pellets for recycling into municipal or other picture frames and car safe SHARPS bumpers. Please check the disposal program. Springfield MRF website for Contact Styrofoam recycling options. your local municipality for COLORED Plastic cups: Such as Solo cups are categorized as options. a # 6 plastic. This is the same Food Waste: category as Styrofoam, Food Waste polystyrene, and expanded should never polystyrene. There is no mar-

ket for these items, please deposit in trash. Clear plastic cups are acceptable.

Light bulbs: Incandescent light bulbs have a different type of glass from regular bottles and jars, which makes them unrecyclable, plus they invariably break making them a hazard for workers. These should be deposited in the trash. Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury and should be properly recycled. Several large home improvement stores accept fluorescent bulbs free of charge. Please also check with your municipality to see if they collect fluorescent light bulbs.

dishware is not recyclable. Please check with your municipality for swap shop options; otherwise please place in the trash.

Electronics: Electronics contain some hazardous chemicals and sometimes leaded glass. Electronics should be properly recycled; please check with your municipality for electronics recycling options.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON RECYCLING THESE These items get caught in the ITEMS PLEASE CHECK conveyor belts at the recycling THE SPRINGFIELD MATEfacility. Please check your RIALS RECYCLING FACILmunicipality for scrap metal ITY WEBSITE AT WWW. and swap shop options. SPRINGFIELDMRF.ORG. Dishes: Ceramics and other materials which make up

Pots, pans and scrap metal:

S16 | FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Is Recycling

Broken?

By Cori UrBan

When waste materials are disposed of by landfilling or What happens to the things incineration, the resource value of those materials are lost. you recycle each week — paper, plastic, cans — and are “By diverting waste materials for recycling, we do not have people still as committed to to extract the raw materials putting these items out for pick up or to bring them to the from the environment,” he explained. “Instead, we urban local transfer station as they mine the materials through once might have been? recycling thus saving energy “Some are hinting that we and adverse impacts on the no longer should recycle because it costs more to recycle environment.” In addition, and maybe than to throw stuff away. Let’s be clear, recycling is not going more important, he continaway,” said Michael J. Pattavi- ued, is the mindset people cultivate when educated na, Franklin County repreabout local recycling prosentative to the Springfield grams: “People become aware Materials Recycling Facility of their personal impacts as Advisory Board. “Diverting consumers. In a basic way, waste materials for reuse is still the right thing to do.” recycling allows us to parSPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN

ticipate in the stewardship of the planet by allowing for informed choices at the point of purchase.” When people see news clips of fields of plastics in the ocean and pounds of plastics found in sea animals they should be outraged “because of the deviation from the original, benevolent intent of plastics when first introduced by manufacturers,” Pattavina said. Plastic is bio-resistant — it doesn’t breakdown in the environment. This revolutionized packaging for products such as medicines and food by allowing for a longer shelf life and a lighter/stronger packaging material. “The very

quality that offered immeasurable benefits for perishable products is also the same quality that is polluting the environment. There needs to be environmental protection standards and product stewardship principles applied to the manufacture and distribution of plastic products,” he said. China, a major importer of recyclable material, announced new import purity standards in 2017. “It would be easy to blame it on China for refusing to accept materials that are mixed with trash, the wrong type of recyclable or low-quality recyclables due in large part to glass contamination,” Pattavina said. “But

China has only exposed how we have neglected the quality levels of our recyclables. Although most of the Springfield MRF’s recyclables do not go to China, we are at the mercy of a depressed, nationwide, recyclables market.” He continued, “China halted its demand, effectively creating a backlog of recyclable materials. The backlog resulted in flooding U.S. markets thus creating an imbalance in the supply and demand chain. More supply and less demand usually result in collapsed pricing, and bills cannot be paid.” When household recycling became popular in the 1970s, the driving intent was to

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

reduce trash and conserve energy and natural resources. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Until recently, processing recyclables separately from trash was also financially beneficial,â&#x20AC;? said Arlene C. Miller, vice chairman of the Springfield MRF Advisory Board. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While a small number of U.S. communities have halted their recycling programs in response to market changes, that option is not available to Massachusetts municipalities. It is important to note that disposing of recyclables as trash is also costlyâ&#x20AC;Śand lacks environmental benefits.â&#x20AC;? Current commodity prices do not cover processing costs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the financial benefit has (we expect temporarily) disappeared, significant environmental benefits remain,â&#x20AC;? she said. The issue is who owns the risk for market fluctuations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the past 30 years, the MRF operator held that risk,â&#x20AC;? she said. Those communities in western Massachusetts that brought their recyclables to the Springfield Materials Recycling Facility have histor-

ically paid nothing to do so. In addition, when markets rose to a certain point, the municipalities shared revenue with the MRF operator 50/50. The processing fee (the cost to receive and sort the materials getting them ready for market) was paid in full by the operator. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These fees were historically off-set by the market revenue,â&#x20AC;? Miller explained. When the paper markets (the largest portion of the recyclable stream) crashed in 2018, and revenue from paper sales fell sharply, the MRF operators nationwide were completely responsible for the processing fees and lost significant money. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As contracts expired and new contract were negotiated, MRFs uniformly changed the formula and have begun to place the cost of the processing fee up front on to the municipality,â&#x20AC;? she continued. Currently, in most MRF contracts, the processing fees are equal to or below the cost of trash disposal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the markets are good, the cost

to the town to recycle could be minimal or even be a net profit,â&#x20AC;? she said. But there is no guarantee now because the towns take the market risk. The paper, plastic and metal streams processed at the Springfield MRF have been, and continue to be, purchased by regional manufacturers. Pattavina encourages municipalities to reduce the contamination of the recyclables stream â&#x20AC;&#x201D; keep recyclables substantially free of glass. â&#x20AC;&#x153;MRF operators do not want glass because bottles/jars break easily during trans-

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 | S17

port and processing and can contaminate other container and paper streams,â&#x20AC;? he said, adding that glass has the least market value of all recyclables. Glass can still be included in whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delivered to the Springfield MRF. However, the operator of the MRF is providing incentives for municipalities to remove the glass and find localized uses for the material. The most helpful thing people can do is recycle mindfully. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What you put into your bin matters,â&#x20AC;? Miller said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In-

The most helpful thing people can do is recycle mindfully. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What you put into your bin matters. Individuals can keep processing costs down by educating ourselves about which items are recycled and keeping other items out of our bins.â&#x20AC;? - Arlene C. Miller, vice chairman of the Springfield MRF Advisory Board.

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dividuals can keep processing costs down by educating ourselves about which items are recycled and keeping other items out of our bins.â&#x20AC;? Miller contends that recycling has become part of the culture: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many states like Massachusetts require certain items to be separate from trash and recycled. Recycling saves natural resources, saves energy, and for the most part, costs less than trash disposal. Recycling also creates good jobs.â&#x20AC;?

S18 | FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Textile Recycling By Cori UrBan

and condition. The top-quality materials are resold to local Wondering what to do with thrift outlets, mid-grade items are exported to international that torn winter jacket or markets and unusable items those faded curtains? Don’t are processed for raw matethrow them away; recycle rials. them if you can. “Curbside Simple Recycling East Longmeadow began gives our residents another recycling textiles in 2018 option for textiles that cannot using the Simple Recycling curbside textile program. Last be used again,” Bone said. Simple Recycling, a for-profyear 49,005 pounds of textiles it recycler, is committed to were collected. offering residents the most Elizabeth M. Bone, recysimple and easy way to cling coordinator for East Longmeadow, estimates that keep usable materials from the landfill. It takes ripped in Massachusetts more than clothes, curtains, bedding 230,000 pounds of textiles (that might be stained but are thrown away each year and 95 percent of that can be not wet or moldy) and things that people do not want to recycled or reused. All of the materials are grad- use again or wear again. “If it’s something that you would ed and sorted locally and/or regionally based on quality wear again, then that is a texSPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN

tile … that you should donate to Salvation Army etc.,” Bone said. Any type of textile can be recycled including pillows,

purpose and helps alleviate the room shortage problem in landfills,” Bone said. “I think people inherently choose the more convenient option be-

Agawam also are considering this program. There is no fee for the program East Longmeadow uses; in fact, Simple Recycling pays

All of the materials are graded and sorted locally and/or regionally based on quality and condition. The top-quality materials are resold to local thrift outlets, mid-grade items are exported to international markets and unusable items are processed for raw materials. curtains, sheets, dog beds, stuffed animals and clothing. “This textile recycling program helps by removing those stained, worn or torn items and helps give them a new

cause life seems to be busier these days.” But she sees textile recycling as a new trend in Western Massachusetts, noting that towns like Longmeadow and

the town .01 cent per pound. And it’s as easy to recycle textiles as it is to recycle newspapers. A Simple Recycling truck drives the same route as the trash and recycling

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

hauler, picking up the textiles on the same day as the trash is picked up. The weekly set-out rate is 2 to 3 percent, Bone said, with the average household recycling approximately 10 pounds per year. (Set-out rate means the percentage of people who set out the special pink bags each week compared to residents who don’t.) Simple Recycling sent a mailer with a pink bag attached to it in the fall of 2018. “Residents can fill the pink bag and leave it on the curb on the regular trash day, and the Simple Recycling driver will leave a pink bag when they take your pink bag,” Bone said. Additional bags are avail-

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 | S19

“One third of a pound of pesticides are used to make one cotton T-shirt. New product manufacturing uses large amounts of water, gases and most of the time synthetic fibers that are made out of petroleum-based products.” - Elizabeth M. Bone, recycling coordinator for East Longmeadow, MA able at SimpleRecycling.com/ supplies. “I think people need to pause and realize that everything new you buy is created from new resources, which takes a toll on our planet,” Bone said. “One third of a pound of pesticides are used to make one cotton T-shirt. New product manufacturing uses large amounts of water, gases and most of the

time synthetic fibers that are made out of petroleum-based products. Having this textile recycling program definitely helps put recyclable content into the new products that we’re buying, but we need to embrace used items as well. Think of it as a new chapter to its story.” For more information, go to simplerecycling.com. Those who do not live in a designated pickup area can go to DonateStuff.com for a free charitable donation collection program nationwide.

NEVER PUT PLASTIC BAGS YES

IN YOUR REGULAR MUNICIPAL RECYCLING BIN DO NOT PUT RECYCLABLES INSIDE PLASTIC BAGS

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS BELOW YES: Do Recycle in stores only

YES: bags that are empty, clean and dry without receipts, coins, and trash.

YES: Grocery & produce bags (#2, #4 only) YES: Plastic newspaper bags (empty) YES: Dry cleaning bags (no receipts/staples) YES: plastic cereal box liners (if it tears like paper do not include) (empty)

YES: sandwich/ Ziploc bags and bread bags: no crumbs or food and remove zipper from thick freezer bags.

YES: Any clean, dry plastic bag labeled with: “HDPE,” “PE-HD” OR , “LDPE,” “PE-LD”

YES: Retail bags (#2 or 4) with string/ hard plastic handles removed

YES: Plastic outer wrap from toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, diapers, sanitary products

YES: Plastic bubble wrap, air pillows (deflate/remove labels)

YES: Case wrap from cases of water, tea, canned pet food, or soda

NO: Do NOT Recycle in stores NO bags with food or moisture in or on them NO garbage bags NO food or cling wrap (Saran) NO pet food products NO coffee bags NO prepackaged food bags (frozen food or prewashed salad) NO chip bags, granola bar/candy wrappers NO bags with paint or glue NO compostable plastic bags NO bag with a recycling symbol or # other than those described in the “yes” column

What about pellet stove fuel bags? • Ask your supplier to take back and recycle them. • Some retail stores will take pellet bags (call to ask). • Gold Circuit E-Cycling in Ludlow recycles them: (888) 283-0007; www.goldcircuitecycling.com

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

Agawam Amherst Belchertown Blandford Chester Chicopee Deerfield Easthampton

DPW 821-0624 DPW 821-0624 DPW 259-3049 DPW 323-0415, Station 323-0416 Station 848-4279 x401 BOH (413) 354-7781 DPW 594-3557 DPW 594-3557 FCSWMD 772-2438 DPW 529-1410 DPW 529-1410

Curbside Drop-Off Drop-Off Drop-Off Drop-Off Drop-Off Curbside Drop-Off Drop-Off Drop-Off Drop-Off

East Longmeadow BOH 525-5400 ext. 1103 DPW 525-5400 ext. 1200 Granby Town Hall 467-7177 Highway Facility Granville Town Hall 357-8585 Greenfield DPW 772-1528 ext.6106 DPW 772-1528 ext.6106

Curbside Drop-Off Curbside Drop-Off Drop-Off Curbside Drop-Off

Hadley Hampden Holyoke

SWS 498-0099 Town Hall 566-2151 x102 DPW 322-5645 DPW 322-5645

Drop-Off Drop-Off Curbside Drop-Off

DPW 567-3400 DPW 567-3400 DPW 583-5625 DPW 583-5625 BOH 267-4107 FCSWMD 772-2438 FCSWMD 772-2438 Town Hall 862-3386 DPW 587-1570 x4306 DPW 587-1570 x4306 Town Hall - 283-2646 Town Hall 862-6200 DPW 538-5033 DPW 538-5033 DPW 527-3666 / 529-2352 DPW 569-6772 / 569-0160

Curbside Drop-Off Curbside Drop-Off Curbside Curbside Drop-Off Curbside Drop-Off Drop-Off Drop-Off Drop-Off Curbside Drop-Off Drop-Off Drop-Off

Cust. Service 736-3111 DPW 787-7840 Hazardous Waste Depot Town Hall 258-4794 Cust. Service 263-3234 Cust. Service 263-3242 Scale House 363-0090 DPW 572-6226 Health Dept. 572-6210 Town Hall 596-2800 x225

Curbside Drop-Off Drop-Off Drop-Off Curbside Drop-Off Drop-Off Curbside Drop-Off Drop-Off

Longmeadow Ludlow Monson Montague Montgomery Northampton Palmer Russell South Hadley Southampton Southwick Springfield

Tolland West Springfield

Westfield Wilbraham

* 1000 Suffield St. 740 Belchertown Road

Mon-Fri 8:30am - 3:30pm Tues, Thurs, Sat 8am-2pm

135 Hamilton Street Huntington Rd. Transfer Station Emery St. Transfer Station

Tues - Sat 7:30am - 3:15pm (Thurs: til 5:15pm) * Tues 6-8pm & Sat. 8am-12pm * Wed 3 pm-6 pm and Sat 9am-1pm *

* * *

161 New Lombard Rd 42 Lee Road 30 Northampton Street End of Oliver St.

Tu-F 8am-4:40pm and Sat 8 am-noon Tues, Thurs, Sat 8:30am - 4pm 1st & 3rd Sat 8am-12pm, April-Nov 1st&3rd Sat 8am-12, Oct&May every Sat 8am-12

* * *

Knowlton Tran. Sta. Somers Rd

Sat 9am-5pm all yr, Wed Seasonal 9am-5pm

11 Crescent Street 89 Water Street

Mon-Fri 7 am - 3 pm Tues 1pm - 5pm, Sat 9am - 5pm

86 Cumberland Road

Call DPW or visit: www.greenfield-ma.gov for hours * Mon Noon - 6pm ,Wed 1pm-6pm, Sat 7am - 4pm * Tues Noon - 4pm, Sat 8am - 4pm *

* * * * *

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North Branch Road Cross Rd. Transfer Station DPW Yard, 63 Canal St.

* *

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* *

Mon - Fri 7am - 2:30pm (yard waste @ 1 Berkshire St)

Recycling Ctre. Pondside Rd.

Wed 10-5, Sat 8-5, Sun 10-5 (Seasonal Sat. only)

DPW, 198 Sportsmens Rd.

Wed -Sat 8am - 3pm

* *

Sandy Lane off Turnpike Rd.

Sat 7am - noon, Wed 7am - 2:30pm Every other Tuesday Call for hours Call for hours First Sat of month Wed 10am-4pm & 6pm - 8pm and Sat 8am-4pm

* *

Sat & Wed 8am - 3pm Sat & Wed 7am - 5pm Tues 11:30am-7:20pm Wed & Fri 8am -4:20pm, Sat 8am-3:50pm

* *

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125 Locust Street 170 Glendale Road DPW, 15 Bridge St Frog Hollow Rd. 10 Industrial Drive Moose Brook Road 22 Industrial Road

Bondiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island Landfill 100 B Grochmal Ave. 163 Colebrook Road

M-F, 7 am - 3:30 pm, select Sat. Select Saturdays Wed 5pm-7pm, Sat 9am-11am, Sun 3pm-5pm

* *

* DPW Yd. 430 Westfield Street K & W Transfer Station

M-F 7:30am - noon, 12:30 - 3pm M-F 6am - 4:30pm, Sat 7am - 1pm

* *

Twiss St Transfer Station Transfer Station 2720 Boston Rd

Mon-Sat 7 am - 2:45 pm Wed & Fri 7am - 3pm, Sat 7am - 5pm, Sun noon - 5pm

* * * *

* *

* * * * *

Bulky Waste

Propane Tanks

Hours of Operation

Paint

Drop Off Location

Yard Waste

Collection Type

Motor Oil

Contact Info.

Electronics

Community

MRF

This table provides information about municipally funded solid waste collection programs. If an item is not checked for a particular town, call the contact number listed for more information; there may be an alternate disposal option or annual collection for this material. For more information regarding your communities program, call the contact number for your community or visit www.springfieldmrf.org

Scrap Metal

COMMUNITY RECYCLING INFORMATION

Tires

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Fluorescent Bulbs

S20 | FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020