The Northumberland Recycle Right Rewards Event on September 2, 2025, was a great success, bringing out residents eager to talk trash—and treasure!
The NH Recycles Member Services team of Brian Patnoe, Member Services Director, and Steve Bean, Municipal Recycling Advisor, spent about three and a half hours engaging with the community, answering pressing questions about recycling, and, most excitingly, rewarding people for recycling right by handing out free totes and local area gift cards.
Key Takeaways from the Day
The event provided valuable insight into what’s on the minds of Northumberland residents when it comes to recycling. Here are some of the most common questions and comments heard throughout the day.
Why does recycling vary from town to town?
This excellent question highlights a common point of confusion and points to the patchwork of recycling programs across NH, which vary from town-to-town. Each municipality must take into consideration the amount of the recyclable (are they able to gather enough of the material to make selling it economically feasible?), the location of the recycling facility (are they located close to a mill or processor who can accept the material or will it need to travel a far distance at a greater cost?), and the cost of the recyclables (how is the recycling market doing? Is it up, meaning the recyclables are selling for a good amount, or is it down, meaning the recyclables are being moved at a cost?) Check out Recycling 101 for more information.
Can I keep caps on containers?
A frequent question that again, depends on the town and demonstrates the need for clear, consistent guidance. Some towns allow for caps to remain on, while others require them to be removed (so that bottles can be empty of contents and to make baling the recyclables easier, since the bottles are not trapping air).
Does my recycling really get recycled?
The TL;DR? YES! If you recycle the items your recycling program accepts, you can feel confident they will be recycled into new products. The recently released North Country recycling videos tackle this very question by following 3 recyclables from their North Country transfer stations to their final destinations.
Other comments and concerns:
- Glass Misconceptions: One resident assumed that all glass was recycled back into new bottles. Through NH Recycles, however, glass has a few options, including becoming fiberglass, through a "clean glass" program or being turned into a "processed glass aggregate" or PGA to be used in local roads projects. Learn more about North Country glass recycling.
- Cost Concerns: A gentleman visiting from the NH Seacoast mentioned their area scaled back recycling efforts due to high costs, showing that economics can heavily influence local programs.
- Popular Giveaways: The free small recycling bins were a huge hit, with residents noting how easy they are to carry.
Community Spirit and Cooperation
The event's positive atmosphere was noted by many, with residents expressing gratitude and appreciation. Northumberland's Transfer Station Manager, Paul Perras (pictured above with Brian next to the recycling sign), received numerous compliments from residents on the fantastic job he does. The NH Recycles team was also recognized by a gentleman who remembered them from the prior baseline data event, showing the impact of continued outreach.
In summary, the event was very well received. Many questions were answered, and everyone was glad to see the recycling initiative team, fostering great community engagement around responsible recycling. Keep up the great work recycling right, Northumberland!
- EPA disclaimer: This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement 4Y-84078701 to NH Recycles. The contents of this project do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA.
