America Recycles Day

The City of Cambridge is joining thousands of communities across the U.S. to celebrate “America Recycles Day” on Tuesday, November 15th. The Department of Public Works Recycling Division will be holding activities in various locations throughout the week to reach residents with information about the importance of recycling.

Residents are encouraged to stop by tables on the following dates and locations to participate in activities, sign up to receive recycling news and information, and receive a reusable bag designed by Cambridge students:
• Tuesday, November 15th, 11:30am-1:30pm– lawn outside Cambridge City Hall
• Wednesday, November 16th, 3:00pm-5:00pm– Brattle Sq. opposite Crema Café
• Thursday, November 17th, 8:30am-10:30am– lawn outside Cambridge Main Library

“Through initiatives like this and our curbside composting and recycling programs, the City is working to reduce trash, increase recycling, and divert food and other reusable materials from the waste stream,” said Public Works Commissioner Owen O’Riordan. “We hope that residents will join us in celebrating ‘America Recycles Day’ to learn more about how they can help us meet our waste reduction goals.”

The City is progressing in meeting the goals of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Solid Waste Master Plan, which calls for reducing residential trash 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 from a 2008 baseline, but there is still approximately 25% of trash curbside trash that could be placed in curbside recycling instead.

Curbside Recycling is designed for clean paper and cardboard, as well as empty containers made of glass, metal, rigid plastic, and paper. Clean foil and large rigid plastics such as storage containers and buckets may also be included. Want to learn more? Watch these short videos to see how simple recycling and composting can be!