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November 2022 Newsletter
Fall Book Swap Success, Mattress Recycling in Salem,
Textile Event, Sustainable Furniture &
New Member Annoucements



Fall Book Swap Success
The SalemRecycles Free Book Swap took place on Saturday November 12th. We had nearly 50 volunteers and 550 attendees!

At the end of the event, Discover Books took all leftover materials to be reused or recycled.

A special shoutout to our amazing volunteers (and those who traveled from Marblehead, Cape Cod AND Philadelphia, PA to help us!)
Mattress Recycling in Salem
Per new state regulations, mattresses and box springs can no longer be disposed of as trash and instead must be recycled. The City of Salem has contracted with Tough Stuff Recycling to provide curbside mattress and box spring recycling. While there is currently no charge for this service for Salem residents, the City is evaluating fee options and this may change later in 2022.

To view an FAQ about mattress recycling through Tough Stuff Recycling, please visit www.salemma.gov/mattress

To schedule your curbside pick-up, please visit: https://order.toughstuffrecycling.com

Mattress bags can be picked up at the Engineering Department 2nd floor City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street. Currently there is no fee for bags, but the City is evaluating and this may change later in 2022.
Textile Recycling Event
SalemRecycles is hosting the Textile & TerraCycle Drive held at Riley Plaza on Saturday November 19th from 8 AM -1 PM.

At this event, clothing and household textiles in any condition (reusable or not), as well as TerraCycle items for recycling will be accepted.

TEXTILES — Textiles are valuable resources that can be reused, cut into rags, or ground up into new products. They cannot be placed in curbside recycle bins where they become “tanglers,” nor can they go in the trash with the new MA Waste Ban in place.

DROP OFF — clean & dry clothing, sneakers, shoes, boots, slippers, belts, ties, purses, stuffed animals, comforters, sheets, blankets, table linens, and curtains.

ANY CONDITION — as long as clean, dry, odor-free. Can be new and reusable, old and moth-eaten, stained, torn or damaged, broken belt, single sock or shoe.

PLEASE, NO — carpet, rugs, pillows, bric-a-brac, oil rags, wet or mildewed items.

TERRACYCLE — We’re collecting FIVE TerraCycle brigades of otherwise hard-to-recycle items. Please keep each TerraCycle stream separate.
** Swiffers: All used, dried Swiffer pads.
** Razors: All brands of reusable and disposable razors, blades & cartridges, as well as any flexible or rigid plastic packaging they come in.
** Dental Care: Toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, mouthwash bottles, & floss containers. All brands, plus toothbrush packaging.
** Deodorant: All brands of deodorant containers and caps.
** Writing Instruments + : All brands of empty writing instruments, glue sticks, watercolor dispensers, paint sets, and flexible packaging.
Please stay in your vehicle the whole time and have items ready to unload in your trunk, truck bed or hatchback — items will not be unloaded from car seats.


*If you are able to volunteer at this event, please email [email protected]
Shift 1: 7:45 am - 10:15 am
Shift 2: 10:00 am - 1:15 pm

We are looking for more volunteers to help unload cars and to direct traffic.
Furniture vs Sustainable Furniture
Submitted by Carol Hautau
Many of you read or heard about the recent New York Times article focused on the proliferation of online vendors of cheap furniture and the surge of purchases made during these pandemic times.

The article focused on the short lifespan of “fast furniture” and the inevitable massive disposal into our trash stream.

SalemRecycles would like to ensure that our followers are aware of the many resources, in Salem and the surrounding area, that sell used furniture and more. There are also a number of businesses that will repair or restore your old, cherished pieces.

Check out these places before spending your money on cheap, fast furniture and see if they can offer you a better alternative.
New Member Announcements
SalemRecycles is pleased to announce its newest members: Janelle, Joel, and Demi!
 
Janelle started her role as the Waste Reduction Coordinator for the City of Salem in September 2022. After 12 wonderful years at Education First in Cambridge, MA she is now utilizing her degree in Natural Resource Management and pursuing her love for the environment in this new role. She is the City Liaison for the SalemRecycles Committee.

Joel comes to the committee with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the recycling and solid waste industry. He has worked in the waste management industry for seven years, in Boston and Seattle, and has experience with the business and operations of commercial and industrial waste collection. He has also served on committees such as the Seattle Public Utilities Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the City of Cambridge Recycling Advisory Committee.

Demi’s background is in marine science and conservation. She is excited to explore new ways we can reduce waste, support our community, and protect the
environment.
 
Please join us in welcoming our new
crew!
SalemRecycles
978-619-5672