I was putting out my recyclables last week and every week I have to remember whether or not it’s a recycling week. Leominster has that bi-weekly pick up schedule. I got all of my bins out (I usually have 5-6 full bins…pat myself on the shoulder) and I looked up and down the street to see if there were any other bins out. I didn’t see any. I went in the house thinking that I had the bins out on the wrong week. A little while later the truck came by and my recyclables were gone…
Apparently nobody else on my street recycles.
Doesn’t anybody in Leominster recycle?
August 13, 2007 at 1:39 pm
I’m glad you brought this up: the goal of The Flamingo Project is to bring the percentage of Leominster residents who recycle up from 40% to 80%. We intend to do this not just through educating kids on the importance of recycling, but also on promoting the convenience of recycling here in Leominster. For example, as of recently, Leominster has adopted a “single-stream” recycling program which is VERY convenient. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much information made available about it. In fact, every resident I’ve mentioned it to has no idea what I’m talking about. The single-stream program means that, not only do you NOT have to sort your recyclables anymore (plastic, paper, and metal can all go in the same container), but you don’t have to use the city-mandated recycle bins either. You can use a regular old trash barrel, as long as it’s clearly marked as “Recyclables.” So part of what we’re doing is trying to find a way to help the nice folks at the DPW get the word out about things like this. The problem, as I understand it, is that the gentlemen at the DPW who are in charge of the city’s recycling are also in charge of lots of other things. They recently expressed a wish for a “recycling committee” for Leominster, but they just don’t have the time, resources, or budget for it. Well THAT’S where The Flamingo Project comes in! I’d like to work side-by-side with the DPW to come up with ideas and then have our volunteers put those ideas into action. Pretty soon, when you put your recycling at the curb, you should see everyone else on your street doing the same – and hopefully all their recycling containers will bear a Flamingo Project sticker!).
August 13, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Thanks for your input Kryssi…
I look forward to seeing the results of your efforts. I do think that the people in charge of recycling in Leominster have a lot on their plates. Maybe Leominster could look to set up a separate Recycling Committee so that the issue gets the attention it deserves. I also look forward to hearing more about the Flamingo Project.
Recycling is something that needs to be brought to the forefront of the many issues in Leominster. Why wouldn’t somebody want to recycle? When you throw something away either it goes in one bin for recycling or another for the landfill.
I’d love to hear from some of the people in Leominster that don’t recycle. What are some of the reasons not to recycle???
August 17, 2007 at 9:09 am
Leominster’s recycling program leaves a lot to be desired. Just take a ride on any trash day and look at all the things that could be recycled. Large plastic toys, bins, and other items. While other communities pick up recycle every week, we do it every 2 weeks.