NH Recycles Member Services team of Brian Patnoe, Member Services Director, and Steve Bean, Municipal Recycling Advisor, recently spent four hours at the Lancaster Transfer Station. Their goal? To connect with residents and help them with their recycling efforts. Armed with information and a few surprises, they made the day a little brighter for everyone who stopped by.
Educating and Rewarding the Community
Brian and Steve weren't just there to answer recycling questions - they also came prepared with rewards for those who were "recycling right". They handed out free recycling bins and gift cards worth $50 each from three local businesses. This local focus was a huge hit with residents! One person commented on how much they loved that the initiative was keeping everything local and giving back to area businesses.
Many residents were surprised and thankful for the effort, expressing gratitude for the work being done. In addition to the rewards, Brian and Steve also distributed information cards specific to the Lancaster transfer station facility, which helped address common recycling questions.
Key Takeaways from Resident Conversations
The event wasn't just about giving back; it was also a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the community. Several interesting points came up during the conversations:
- One resident was surprised to learn that much of the recycled material is shipped out of state. Recyclables need to be processed into raw materials so that they can be used again, but very few recycling plants are located in NH, so most of the material must be sent out of state in order to be processed.
- The desire to recycle "clamshell" plastic containers was a recurring theme, with many residents noting how much of this specific type of plastic they have. As a general rule, #1 PET bottles or jugs (something with a cap!) are recyclable. "Clamshells" - also known as thermoforms - are made of a different PET density, melt at a different point compared to PET bottles, and break into different size chips. These factors mean that the two types of PET plastic cannot be mixed to create a new PET product.
- Two people raised an important question about the recycling process itself, asking if the products were actually being recycled. Brian and Steve were confident pointing out that if you recycle the items that can be recycled through you local program, you should have confidence those items are being recycled. NH Recycles' three new recycling videos following cardboard, aluminum cans, and glass from three North Country communities aim to address this very question (and the short answer is YES, items really are being recycled!)
- Several questions came up about glass recycling and what happens to it. NH Recycles' new Glass Recycling video does an excellent job of answering this question. (Recycled glass can either become new bottles and jars, fiberglass insulation, or be used in roads projects!)
- At least 10 residents asked why the facility is no longer accepting mixed paper, highlighting a key area of concern for the community.
Overall, the event was a huge success. Brian and Steve were able to reward residents for their hard work, address a number of important questions, and show the community that their recycling efforts are valued.
