14 July 2008 Meeting of the Recycling Committee

Present were:

Francine Swan

Sara Shattuck

Guest – Craig Maines second place winner in art contest

Bob Paradis

Buddy Doyle

Richard Walenda

The meeting started at 6:00 pm and we thanked Craig Maines for competing in the Art Contest and took a photo with him, Sara and his winning submission.  Craig said that he would be willing to paint his design on a container and we told him that a member of the committee would contact him with additional information.  We also told him that his prize check would be mailed to his home.  Craig left and Bob and Buddy came in about 6:15. 

Additional questionnaires have been received and the questionnaire information was updated.  Sara suggested that it might be a good idea to design a refrigerator magnate that shows what can go into single stream recycling to help people remember.   Sara will contact New Hampshire the Beautiful about funds that may be available for that type of project. 

Mark Bucklin had provided some information from the NRRA on recycling containers but since they appear to be geared to dual stream recycling we did not discuss trying to obtain any. 

We discussed to need to find out if Bristol can contract with one of the electronics recyclers that does not charge.  This would eliminate the charge to people bring electronics to the transfer station.  Dunbarton uses East Coast Recycling.  The company brings a container at no charge, leaves it and when it is filled they come pick it up all at no charge to the town.   Two other companies that do recycling of electronics in New Hampshire are CRT Recycling and RMG Enterprise.   It was suggested that this information should be pursued now since it can save money now and would not require anything other than a vendor change.   The information on the three will be forwarded to the town manager and select board for review.

It was also discussed that the committee should make a recommendation to the select board with respect to single stream recycling but a decision was made to wait until more committee members were present to discuss this further. 

The committee needs to start tracking our monthly recycling so that we can track changes that are the result of education and the change over to single stream.  Need to ask Mark to bring monthly information to the meetings.

Discussed battery collection and whether there is or should be some battery collection at the transfer station.

Bob and Buddy suggested that the committee use the tax bill to send out an update on the recycling committees efforts and on single stream.

Mr. Walenda came in and addressed the committee.  He said that the town commingles aluminum with the other scrap metal.  Mr. Walenda said that the town could get a lot more money for the scrap by sorting the aluminum separately.  He offered to separate the aluminum, sell it and give the town 30% of what he was able to sell it for.  He said that he would keep receipts to verify the amount he sold and how much he sold it for.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00.