Despite cool, rainy weather, 46 enthusiastic participants joined NH Recycles’ team at The Rocks in Bethlehem, NH for the Recycling Summit, part of the Recycle Right North Country campaign. The event brought together transfer station operators, recycling committee members, residents, and professionals from related fields—all eager to learn more about recycling in New Hampshire.
Led by Education and Grants Manager Andrea Folsom, Municipal Recycling Advisor Steve Bean, Member Services Director Brian Patnoe, and Executive Director Reagan Bissonnette, the day offered a mix of hands-on learning, practical insight, and big-picture discussion about recycling and waste diversion across the Granite State.
Behind the Scenes at AVRRDD
The day began with a bus tour of the Androscoggin Valley Regional Refuse Disposal District (AVRRDD) transfer station in Berlin. Participants saw what happens when recyclables leave their local transfer stations and are consolidated, baled, and shipped to market. Highlights included the towering scrap metal pile ready for recycling, and the large wood pile - ready to be chipped for reuse as alternative daily cover at the nearby Mt. Carberry Landfill, which is also owned and operated by AVRRDD.
Inside the recycling center, attendees watched a segmented, source-separated recycling truck unload materials one commodity at a time—a process that requires unloading the truck from back to front so each section can swing open in sequence. AVRRDD Executive Director Lisa Riendeau and Transfer Station Manager Leo King answered detailed questions about the facility’s processes and end markets, providing attendees with valuable insight into regional operations.
Lunch, Learning, and Q&A
Back at The Rocks, participants enjoyed a catered lunch while listening to the long-form version of NH Recycles’ Recycling 101 presentation. Joined by additional online attendees, the session explored both the big-picture issues of waste and recycling in NH and the practical details of recycling key materials like aluminum, cardboard, paper, steel, glass, and plastic. The presentation concluded with actionable steps that individuals, towns, and the state can take to increase recycling and waste diversion.
The afternoon wrapped up with a lively Ask Me Anything Q&A panel featuring Brian Patnoe, Steve Bean, and Paige Wilson from the NH Department of Environmental Services. Panelists tackled a wide range of audience questions—from the challenges of advancing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation in the state to the recycling of plastic bags into benches and support available for towns exploring new transfer stations.
Positive Feedback and Next Steps
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Participants shared comments such as, “Thanks for a valuable program!”, “Thank you for a great presentation!”, and “Very good presentation and so much good information provided [by the] conversation with NH Recycles experts!” Each in-person attendee went home with a $25 Littleton Food Co-op gift card and a NH Recycles recycling bin as a token of appreciation.
The Recycling Summit marked the conclusion of Phase 1 of the Recycle Right North Country campaign, which focused on in-person recycling education and outreach. Phase 2, beginning this winter, will shift focus to digital education and outreach, continuing NH Recycles’ efforts to strengthen recycling knowledge and participation across the North Country.
Steve Bean, Reagan Bissonnette, Andrea Folsom, and Brian Patnoe with fall foliage and breaking clouds after a successful Recycling Summit.
- 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.
