Opportunities to Help

Page history last edited by Alisa 11 mos ago

TRADE YOUR ORGANIC WASTE FOR BLACK GOLD

A pilot program for residents of Hamilton

The Hamilton Recycling Committee, Hamilton Department of Public Works, and Brick Ends Farm offer Hamilton residents a way to recycle organic waste. Organic waste is heavy, but when properly recycled it becomes compost, or Black Gold. By reducing the amount of organic waste we put throw out we also reduce the costs of disposal. By composting organic waste, we recycle it back into the earth to enrich our gardens. 

To make collection feasible in this pilot of the program, we’re looking for 2 – 3 neighborhoods in Hamilton to participate and a total of 72 households (the bins are available in units of 72).  

 

 

BENEFITS TO PARTICIPANTS:
 

·        Participants can pick up FREE compost this spring from Brick Ends Farm. (A truckload is worth about $500).
·        Participants will receive a FREE green 13 gallon bin on wheels with lockable flip-up lid made by Norseman of Franklin MA, plus a free kitchen collector.
·        Pick-up once a week on the regularly scheduled day will be FREE (There may be a small charge after the one-two month period of the pilot program or about .79 per week or $41.00 per year).

 
Call Barbara Lawrence (978-468-2828) or email Alisa Greco (alisa_greco@yahoo.com) for more information or to indicate your interest.
 

 
We have several projects underway and ideas for new ones, so please let us know how you might be able to help.
 
Communication Group:
 
What We’ve Done:
 
We have a name, a logo (thanks to Kim Radochia), a website (thanks to Caroline Horner), a Yahoo group (thanks to Meredith Gisness), membership coordination (thanks to Lindsay Schnabel) and a bi-weekly column in the Hamilton Wenham Chronicle (thanks to Greg Horner and Kimberly Nolan).
 
What We Need:
 
Help in planning our film series.
Please send photos to the Hamilton Wenham Chronicle with green happenings around town.
 
To help please contact Caroline Horner at chenango@gmail.com

 

 
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Group:
 
What We’ve Done:
 
We supported the Recycling Committee in getting the vote passed in Hamilton to allow Selectmen to initiate a program for waste reduction, and are committed to supporting Wenham as it considers starting a similar program.
 
We participated in an all-school presentation on recycling at Buker Elementary School, and provided 12 recycling bins (one for each classroom) to help students and teachers start recycling plastics.
 
We’ve discussed putting together recyclable items for a trashless and ideally a non-toxic lunch box
 
What We Need:
 
Your help providing bins for some of the other schools. HW GREEN Hamilton members who recycle a lot may find it easier to put a recycling sticker (available from Hamilton Town Hall) on a barrel, which holds a lot of plastic, glass and cans.  Please let us know if you have a recycling bin or two to offer for re-use in Winthrop or Cutler Elementary Schools.
 
Your help in creating a demonstration, fact sheet, and product list for "trashless" events.
 
NEW OPPORTUNITY:
 
Energy Efficiency Group:
 
What We’ve Done:
 
We coordinated with National Grid and Wilson Educational Services to train students to do an energy audit of the high school and middle school facilities.  
 
We helped connect high school students to a program offered by National Grid through which students sell Fair Trade chocolate bars and in exchange for using energy efficient bulbs get a free light bulb.
 
What We Need: 
 
Support in future projects throughout town buildings.

 

 
To help please contact Dave Carey at dcarey6@comcast.net

 

 
Clean + Green:
 
What We’ve Done:
 
We found a reusable water bottle to reduce waste and exposure to toxins that we could get printed with our logo and the logo of supporters and or teams for resale by students.
 
We encouraged the towns to repair existing water bubblers and install new ones in public gathering spaces.
 
We’ve been advised by EPA to reduce the idling time for school busses.
 
We’ve talked about starting a food co-op to purchase local and organic foods in bulk. 

We also talked about creating a non-toxic lunch box.

 
What We Need:
 
Someone to coordinate the water bottle and water bubbler projects.
 
Help monitoring current practice to see if school bus drivers are following the five-minute idling limit set by the state.
 
Someone to look into the feasibility of starting a local food coop.
 
To help please contact Barbara Lawrence at barbaralawrence@comcast.net
 
 
FUND-RAISING
 
What We’ve Done:
 
Crosby’s said it would be pleased to consider a request for support. We have also been encouraged by the Recreation Board to apply for a grant.
 
What We Need:
Someone to coordinate fund-raising and grant applications. 
 
We want to file as a 501 (3) c and we need the help of a good lawyer. We know we have several in this group, so please let me know if you can assist us with the process.
 
AFFILIATIONS:
 
There many organizations in our own area as well in the nation and around the world which we might join and some with which we might affiliate and try to do joint projects. 
 
What We Need:

Someone to research these organizations and recommend which ones we should join and affiliate with.

 
 

 

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