DRAFT
SIMSBURY RECYCLING COMMITTEE
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
Call to Order: 7:30 pm
Present: Chair Mary Turner, Lori Fernand, Gwen Moraski, Jill Paterson, Andrew Rose, and Dane Woodberry. Lonni Schulz had informed the Committee at the last meeting that she would be unable to attend the January meeting.
Guest: Simsbury High School Students Claudia Szerakowski and MacKenzie Steele
Minutes: Jill Paterson motioned that the October minutes be accepted with the suggested changes. Andrew Rose seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Correspondence: Chair Turner reviewed with the Committee correspondence from Richard Sawitzke to the Board of Selectmen, dated December 3, 2008, outlining the suggested use of the Recycling Award Funds from the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority in the amount of $29,290. At their January 12th, 2009 meeting, the Board of Selectman approved allocation of the funds for the following: 1. Purchase and install a new recycling swap building to replace an old trailer; 2. Produce and print, with the Recycling Committee, a new recycling brochure; 3. Install safety fencing around recycling roll-off containers; and 4. Improve paved ramps at unloading docks for recyclables and bulky waste.
Recycling News: Following up on Lonni Schulz’s recommendation from the November meeting, Committee members presented information on recycled shopping bags and reported on conversations with local vendors regarding the elimination of plastic bags, and possibly paper bags, and relying on customers to bring in their own bags or have to purchase bags.
Lori Fernand explored the costs of producing recycled shopping bags specific to Simsbury. There were two problems with the vendor consulted. One, the cost of the bags is high, considering the ubiquitous availability of these bags, and two, there is a heavy carbon foot print, as the bags are produced oversees.
Lori Fernand, Gwen Moraski, Jill Paterson, and Mary Turner each spoke with different Simsbury business owners about issues surrounding shopping bags and their possible elimination. Concerning local businesses, there are several efforts currently in place to encourage their customers to use personal shopping bags. Many stores provide a cash incentive, i.e. $0.06 on each bag the customer provides, collect plastic bags for recycling at their stores, and encourage customers with signage to bring in their own bags. It was suggested from one vendor that the complete elimination of plastic and paper bags would have to take place on a regional or State level in order for businesses not to be unfairly impacted.
Reports:
School Liaison-
Jill Paterson made a motion for the Recycling Committee to have Claudia Szerakowski and MacKenzie Steele from the Simsbury High School Environmental Club serve as the liaisons between their Club and the Recycling Committee. The motion was seconded by Dane Woodberry and passed unanimously.
Ms. Szerakowski and Ms. Steele outlined some of the Club’s current activities, including: cell phone recycling; a plastic bottle and milk bottle recycling program for the High School; and the Club’s fundraising to adopt rain forest acreage for preservation.
Ms. Szerakowski and Ms. Steele have researched and held preliminary meetings with school officials on the possibility of purchasing recycled materials for the lunch service. The cost is currently prohibitive. The Committee suggested they explore speaking with the Connecticut
Director of Maintenance-
Chair Turner met with Steve Twitchell, the Director of Maintenance for Simsbury Schools. Mr. Twitchell spoke about revamping the recycling program at the schools in 2006, including new recycling bins and added emphasis on recycling at lunch.
Mr. Twitchell also spoke with Chair Turner about the Connecticut Light and Power school’s contest on which Simsbury High is a finalist. Chair Turner will send a letter congratulating the students on behalf of the Committee.
Recycling Program Curriculum-
Swap Center-
Funds for the Swap Center improvements were approved by the Board of Selectmen in January as outlined under Correspondence above.
Schools Update
Mary Turner spoke to Sue Pirro, the Administrative Assistant to Assistant Superintendent Erin Murray. Mary will next set up a meeting with Steve Twitchell, the supervisor of buildings and Grounds, to discuss possible recycling efforts, or enhancements of current efforts, and ways to promote recycling activities to the students and faculty. In addition, the committee discussed exploring possible efforts in connection with the Third Grade Recycling Curriculum currently in place.
-The Trash Museum trip for next year is set for May 13th and information has been sent to Diana Hofer, the advisor for the Environmental Club.
-Lori Fernand spoke with Claudia Zeraksi, President of Simsbury High School’s Enviro club, about serving as a student liaison to the Committee. Claudia expressed interest in serving in that role. Lori will contact Claudia to invite her and other interested students to the January meeting.
Nike Reuse-A-Shoe-
Lonni Schultz and Lori are calling schools and local religious organizations requesting information for contact persons and e-mails. Once the calls are completed a letter and flyer will be sent to potential participating organizations. The Committee is requesting that participating organizations send save-the-date flyers to their clients/participants so that people know to hold on to their old sneakers in anticipation of the campaign in May.
Old Business:
Next steps regarding the CRRA letter on compact fluorescent light bulb disposal was discussed. These include:
-Mary Turner will research further CRRA’s potential to recycle CFL and other options they are reviewing;
-John Hampton will speak with Mary Turner regarding collaborating with the Capital Region Council Of Governments on this issue; -The letter is being tabled for the next meeting and the CFL issue will be on the next Recycling Committee agenda to review follow-up action steps.
New Business-
Mary Turner spoke with Rich Sawitzke regarding the suggested use of the cash rewards from the CRRA for recycling. A motion was made by Jill Paterson and seconded by Gwen Moraski to approve the suggested use of the funds with the following change made to item number 2:
“Brochures funding should be directed towards developing a new “Simsbury Bulky Waste and Recycling Center” handout. This new handout will update all recyclable items information, as well as explaining single-stream recycling.” The motion passed unanimously. It was also agreed that this information should include disposal of CFLs and be used to update the Town website.
Discussion also centered on creating an e-mail hotline for residents to ask questions regarding recycling. This will be tabled for a future meeting.
Adjourned 9:30 pm: Gwen Moraski made a motion to adjourn. It was seconded by Jill Paterson and passed unanimously. Minutes respectfully submitted by Lori Fernand.
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