MELROSE — In honor of Earth Day this week, Mayor Jen Grigoraitis and Melrose City Hall are highlighting sustainability, conservation and environmental stewardship opportunities and accomplishments in the City of Melrose:
Melrose residents keep recycling contamination low
Casella Waste Systems, the city’s solid waste and recycling contractor, issued an audit report showing that Melrose curbside recycling customers have lowered average recycling contamination (the inclusion of non-recyclable waste in blue bins) to less than 5%! This extremely low contamination rate reflects the diligence and stewardship of the Melrose community, and it also results in a lower cost of recycling processing billed to the City. Casella is now charging the city $120/ton instead of the standard $125/ton to process recyclable materials. If contamination remains low, these discounts will help limit the future growth of trash fee costs for Melrose residents and businesses.
Community Clean-Up
On Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., in partnership with the City’s Conservation Commission, Keep Melrose Beautiful is leading the community’s annual Clean-Up Day. Visit www.zerowastemelrose.org for more information on volunteer opportunities and priority clean- up sites or get out into your own neighborhood on Saturday!
Rigid plastics recycling at City Yard
This Saturday, April 26th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., the DPW will be hosting the first of two free Rigid Plastic Collection Events at the City Yard at 72 Tremont St. Eligible items include garden furniture, laundry baskets, plastic flowerpots, trash and recycling bins, plastic pet carriers, kids’ toys, empty jugs and water cooler bottles, plastic crates, and more! With any questions, call 781-665-0142 or email recycle@cityofmelrose.org for more information.
DCR Park Serve Day at the Middlesex Fells
Each year during Earth Week, DCR invites volunteers to Massachusetts state parks to take part in stewardship activities to prepare for the busy spring and summer recreation season. Park Serve Day is your opportunity to help tend to your favorite state park by getting involved in a clean-up, painting, or other restorative project for one day. Parks across the Commonwealth decide on projects and invite volunteers for a day of work and fun. Visit www.mass.gov/info-details/dcr-park-serve-day for opportunities to clean up trails and recreation areas in the Middlesex Fells.