“Recycling Neighbors” is an exciting, new outreach program. Our goal is to encourage and equip neighbors to educate one another about how, what and why to recycle.

We want to create strong, neighborhood-based outreach that is able to quickly create a “buzz” in the community. The backbone of the “Recycling Neighbors” program is an email network of residents, that when prompted, will take action and collectively get the word out about specific recycling, composting and waste reduction information throughout the year.

 

• Sounds great, sign me up!
• Goals
• How is recycling in Cambridge doing?
• Resources
• History of Cambridge recycling program (coming soon)

Goals

Ultimately, we would like to recruit at least one recycling neighbor on every street and there's over 850 streets! In terms of community connections, we hope to have:

• 1 parent from each school
• 1 parent from each youth center
• 1 participant from each church, synagogue or mosque
• 1 active user of each library
• 1 member from each neighborhood association
• 1 member from each ethnic organization
• 1 member from each tenant association
• 1 owner from each condominium
  

--- top ^

How is recycling in Cambridge doing?

Cambridge residents, schools and city buildings do a great good job at recycling paper waste and bottles and cans. We are one of the best recyclers in Massachusetts! However, we still have room for improvement, particularly with paper and cardboard. Click here to sign up for the Recycling Neighbors Program.

For over 5 years now, the City’s recycling rate has hovered around 33%. This is a strong rate supported by high participation. Depending on the neighborhood, participation ranges anywhere from 65-95%.

A recent study revealed two interesting findings:
1) 48% of household trash could be recycled in the existing curbside program
2) Up to 1500 tons of paper waste is still thrown out each year:

Cardboard ~456 tons are still thrown out each year. Residents have a few options: For curbside pickup, cardboard should be flattened and cut to 3 ft X 3ft, It can also be folded, flattened and stuffed in a paper bag or a paper recycling "toter" on wheels, OR brought as is to the Drop-Off Center during open hours. The easy way to break down a cardboard box is to find the "weakpoint" on one of the inside corners and just rip apart.
--- top ^
Paperboard ~419 tons are still thrown out each year. This is "smooth cardboard" like: Cereal boxes Tissue boxes Paper towel rolls. Asecptic packages (used for soy milk, soup, etc.) can be recycled with paper. And there's no need to pull off the plastic spout.
--- top ^
Mixed Paper ~439 tons are still thrown out each year. This includes phonebooks, junk mail, milk/juice cartons, office paper and magazines. Plastic windows on envelopes ar OK, Glossy paper is OK and there's no need to remove staples, paper clips, spirals, or even the plastic spout on milk or juice cartons.
--- top ^
Newspaper ~102 tons are still thrown out each year. Glossy paper is OK, so all inserts can be recycled.
--- top ^
Resources This section is under construction. Click here to sign up for the Recycling Neighbors Program. Visit again soon for tools and ideas to get the word out that recycling is easy, saves money and helps protect the environment. We will have flyers, PowerPoint presentations and helpful links.