Somerville, MA, Recycling

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Somerville, MA, Recycling

• Somerville Saves, 1975
• Pop. 90,000
• MSW 44,000 tons/year
• First residential curb-side recycling program
  implemented
• Flat paper, clear glass, and metal cans
• 8 recyclable material collected from total
  refuse, 1975-1976

• Current Recycling Program, 2005
• Pop. 77,478
• MSW 34,000tons/year
• All glass, plastics 1-7, milk and juice cartons,
  mixed paper
• Drop-off programs, special curb-side pick-up,
  and composting for special refuse
• 11 recyclable material collected
• Recycling Rate 23

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Recycling Rate Equation

• (Municipalitys total waste diversion
• state credits for other recycling programs)
• municipalitys total waste generation
• State credits Recycling Programs
• Composting Projects, Bins
• Curb-side Computer / Television Monitor Pick-up
• Christmas Tree and other Yard Waste Pick-up
• State credits help double the Recycling Rate of
  Somerville, from 11 23

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Recycling Rates, Middlesex County, MA, 2004
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Increase Recycling Rate of Somerville

• Strengthen Residential Curb-side Recycling
  Program
• Develop Pay-As-You-Throw Program
• Outreach to demographic that does not practice
  residential curb-side recycling
• Education of the importance of recycling
• Target specific demographics for Marketing
  Recycling Programs, such as the computer
• Strengthen Special Recycling Programs
• Market programs to specific demographics
• Inform community of recycling options