Resource Recycling Advisory Council

Middletown Resource Recycling Advisory Commission Regular Meeting via Webex May 22, 2023 Members Present: Krishna Winston, Stephan Allison, Tisha Zawisky, Alison Johnson, John Yarmolovich Staff Present: Kimberly O’Rourke, Recycling Coordinator I. CTO: The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm. II. Public Comments:None were received. III. Acceptance of Minutes: The minutes were accepted as presented. IV. Recycling Coordinator’s Report: At the previous meeting Commissioner Johnson had noted that companies engaged in excavation had left marker flags behind when leaving the site. K. O’Rourke had researched the matter and ascertained that the subject would best be addressed with a requirement in the companies’ excavation permits that they remove the flags and all debris upon completing their projects. K. Winston had suggested that the very large (and growing) accumulation of tree trunks and limbs at the Recycling Center could be turned into a revenue stream for the City if a licensed contractor came in to cut up the wood to sell for firewood. K. O’Rourke reported that the City would be paying to have the wood chipped, but she encouraged K. Winston to speak to the Deputy Director of Public Works about her suggestion. K. O’Rourke announced that she was scheduling days in June to have a table at the Recycling Center at which residents could obtain the stickers they would need from July 1 on to use the Center. She updated the Commission on her efforts to increase recycling in the public schools. A brief discussion of the new redemption center on East Main St. followed. Commissioners expressed an interest in having Steve Gomes report at the next meeting on his plan for a redemption center in the North End. V. Swap Shack Schedule: Commissioners signed up for six weekly shifts cleaning the Swap Shack. VI: Review of Spring and Upcoming Events: A. May 6 Scavenger Hunt. K. O’Rourke reported that there had been a lot of activity at the library, which had served as the hub. Many of the participants had visited sites within walking distance of the library, with fewer visiting more distant locations that presented parking problems or challenges to walking. The commissioners explored the desirability of repeating the event next year. Some ideas that were presented included having the hunt run for a couple weeks, giving people time to explore and using at the new Recreation Center as the hub. The tentative conclusion was that the event should have lower priority because of the expected benefits vis-à-vis the time and effort required, especially on the part of the Recycling Coordinator. Given the already busy schedule in May, an alternative date should also be considered. B. Kids’ Health and Safety Fair: K. Winston reported that she and I. Guy had had many productive conversations during a busy day. Commissioners agreed that such tabling events can be very rewarding and represent a relatively modest time commitment.  2 C. Co-collection Pilot: K. O’Rourke offered the estimate that half of the Sanitation District residents were participating in some way and ideas for getting a higher rate were needed. Among the ideas suggested were programs at schools and summer camps, tabling, cart-tagging, and identifying neighborhood leaders who would be willing to educate their neighbors and promote the program. Commissioners wondered whether S. Allison and E. Nettleton might assume this role. Suggestions of events to table at were solicited. Other suggestions included distributing messages emphasizing the importance of diverting food waste and reducing trash; refraining from blaming non-participants; and addressing the problem of landlords who were not distributing the bags to their tenants. D. The Reusable Take-out Container Program: K. O’Rourke dsecribed how the program would work and noted that she was working with three restaurants. The three-day deadline for returning the containers might be put users under too much pressure. Usefull had turned out to be the only company that offered non-plastic containers and had the technical set-up for collecting, cleaning, and redistributing the containers. It was hoped that during the six-month pilot program other restaurants would hear about it and be willing to join. E. Legislative Update: The EPR for Tires bill was still moving forward, with revised wording, although tire manufacturers were lobbying against it. The Governor’s waste bill was being discussed behind closed doors, and it was unclear what features would survive. K. Winston remarked that it was not a banner year for environmental legislation. F. Pride Parade: The City’s water station would be available, as would recycling containers. K. ORourke would talk to the vendors about handling the cardboard and trash but would not be available during the day. It was suggested that at next year’s event students be recruited to monitor the trash to try to keep the recycling uncontaminated. G. At the Repair Café on June 10 K.ORourke would have a table and talk to people about food waste. T. Zawisky agreed to assist. H. Middletown Farmers’ Market: The decision was reached to have a table every week in July and August and every other week in Sept and Oct. Commissioners expressed regret at the small number of vendors present, which made the market less attractive to customers. I. July 4: Members discussed attending the July 4th festivities, wondering whether the water-filling station should be there. Volunteer monitors would be needed. It was decided that the event involved such large crowds that having the station would be unwieldy. Commissioners suggested that the station should have a sign saying, “Courtesy of the Recycling Commission.” J. Health and Wellness Fair: Members should be on the lookout for upcoming repetitions of last year’s fair. K. August 27 Open Air Market: Commissioners tentatively decided to participate. L. Sept. 16 Hazardous Waste Collection: Commissioners should put on their calendars and plan to volunteer. VII. Adjournment: the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm. Respectfully submitted, Kim O’Rourke Recycling Coordinator