SalemRecycles' mission is to reduce trash tonnage in the City of Salem by increasing recycling, diverting reusable items, and motivating city stakeholders through education and information.

In 2018, the City of Salem began enforcing an ordinance that restricts the use of single-use plastic checkout bags, provided at the point of sale, by all retail and food establishments in the City of Salem. At the time, Salem joined 53 Massachusetts cities and towns restricting the use of these bags. Now, there are over 145 cities and towns in Massachusetts with a similar restriction on plastic bags.

FAQ's for businesses

Call to Action:

If you come across an establishment that is using plastic bags (thinner than 4 mil.), please contact the Salem Health Department to report this issue: 978-619-5654.

Register for the official Plastic Free July Challenge

How can you transition to a plastic-free lifestyle?

• Hack Your Way To A Zero Waste Kitchen! – ZeroWasteStore.com
• Unpacked Living - Plastic Free Products

White Goods Collections: Friday, July 28

White goods include washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, and furnaces. To schedule a pickup, contact WM at 1-800-972-4545.

In June, members of the SalemRecycles Committee toured the mattress and box spring recycling facility at Tough Stuff Recycling, the Fitchburg recycler that the City of Salem has contracted with for our curbside mattress + box spring recycling program.

Typically 80% of a mattress or box spring can be recycled. With the help of Tough Stuff, Salem residents have diverted over 800 mattresses and box springs from the waste stream since November 1, 2022!

Per state regulations, mattresses and box springs can no longer be disposed of as trash. Mattress recycling bags are available at the Engineering Department on the second floor of City Hall Annex, 98 Washington Street, or at the DPW at 5 Jefferson Avenue. To schedule your curbside pick-up, visit https://order.toughstuffrecycling.com or call 978-307-4118. The cost is $20 per unit, payable directly to Tough Stuff Recycling.

View an FAQ about mattress recycling at www.salemma.gov/mattress.

What we're reading:

• ENVIRONMENTALLY SPEAKING: What's the fuss about textiles and what are we supposed to do? – The Berkshire Eagle
• Reduce reuse recycle. Ways to get you thinking. – Everyday Recycler

What we're listening to:

• How to Save a Planet | Podcast on Spotify
• Landmark Youth Climate Trial, Deep Ocean Currents Slowing, and a New War on Cancer - Living on Earth
• the microdOcean: Welcome to Plastic Free July • Big Fight Blue Soul (spotify.com)

Upcoming Webinar:

• Thursday, July 20th 12 PM: A Conversation with Matt Simon - A Poison Like No Other: How Microplastics Corrupted Our Planet and Our Bodies

Salem Beach Cleanup:

• Volunteer! Sunday, July 23, 10 AM -12 PM, Keep Salem Beautiful and the Salem Beautification Committee are joining forces again to host a litter cleanup at Collins Cove. Meet at Collins Cove Beach at 10 AM. Gloves, grabbers, buckets, and bags will be provided. Register at https://forms.gle/BFgc6hgCH5i11Nje8

Community Meeting:

• Thursday, July 27, 6:00 PM, COMMUNITY MEETING - FLOOD MITIGATION IN THE POINT. The City has been working with consultants to develop long-term flood mitigation alternatives for the Palmer Cove Park area of The Point neighborhood as part of Resilient Together: The Point, a MA Coastal Zone Management (CZM) funded climate resiliency outreach and engagement project in the Point neighborhood. Please join us on Thursday, July 27 at 6:00 PM at EL Espacio, 105 Congress Street, to discuss the options, provide your input, and voice your priorities.  

Sustainability Lecture:

• Thursday July 27 5:30-6:30 PM. Forest River Community Room.

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SalemRecycles

978-619-5672

jrolke@salem.com

www.greensalem.com