Sustainability Committee

2020 Accomplishments
The Sustainabililty Committee is an active group, working on projects and involving the community in conversations. Thank you to all who joined us for the events we held this first year of being a committee:

• Sustainability Committee Roundtable discussion on August 5
• Discussion about zero waste on September 28
• Bristol Sustainability Fair in Kelley Park on October 17
• Discussion about solar energy on October 26
• Working with Bristol Select Board on reintroducing recycling at the town's transfer station
• Discussion on eating sustainably on November 30
• Launch of a monthly sustainability newsletter to the community

2021 Accomplishments

• Launch of Regenerative Reads book group in partnership with the Minot-Sleeper Library
  • "A Sand County Almanac" January-March 2021
  • "Cradle to Cradle" April-May 2021
• Let's Talk Trash community discussion on recycling and solid waste on February 22
• Recommendation to Select Board to purchase equipment necessary to expand Bristol's recycling options for residents. This was the foundation for a warrant article to purchase the equipment at Town Meeting - the article passed!

2022 Accomplishments

The committee’s initial project was to get recycling started again in Bristol. Cardboard, glass, and aluminum cans are now recycled. In 2022, 82 tons of cardboard were recycled which brought in revenue of $8485 to Bristol.  

Bristol was one of the  original 10 towns in Rethink Plastic NH. There are now 39 NH towns that have joined the reduce plastic action group. Committee members have interviewed restaurant owners to check on plastic use and ways to reduce it. 

The committee has offered educational programs at the Minot Sleeper Library and hosted a movie and craft event for the children at the Tapply Thompson Community Center.

The committee hosted a Sustainability Fair at Kelly Park on May 21 that had many informative booths and activities for all ages. 

Saturday, September 24 was the second annual Cleanup Bristol Day. Interested residents of all ages filled many bags with trash that had been left along roads in Bristol.

Charge
The purpose of the Town of Bristol's Sustainability Committee is to educate, advocate and advise all people and town government on practices and policies that are environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. The committee will support our community through partnerships and open communication with our residents, businesses, and government to meet the needs of the present without compromising the resources of future generations. The committee shall at times advise and assist Bristol's Town government and departments with plans and policies relating to sustainability.

Goals

• Providing recommendations to the Town on recycling and waste management
• Educating residents on sustainability
• Working with businesses and local organizations to best understand their needs and recommend sustainable practices

Locally Produced: A Series to Inspire and Educate on Living Sustainability
Locally Produced is a monthly educational series on topics related to living sustainability. It is the work of the Town of Bristol, NH Sustainability Committee in partnership with the Minot-Sleeper Library.

Zero Waste 101: https://youtu.be/k6DWhZHZPZc

Solar Energy 101: https://youtu.be/Y_8p4B-wGgM

Eating Environmentally-Friendly: https://youtu.be/96XwquvJrnE