CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
Kimberley Driscoll
Mayor
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
August 16, 2008 JASON SILVA, CHIEF OF STAFF
978-745-9595, EXT. 5603
City Places New Big Belly Recycling Kiosks throughout Downtown
SALEM, MA –Have you noticed the new ‘Big Bellies’ and ‘Big Belly Recycling Kiosks’ around town?
As part of the City’s efforts to increase recycling participation and reduce the waste stream, recycling kiosks and free-standing recycling units have been placed in the downtown to allow members of the public and visitors to conveniently recycle bottles and paper in public areas. 6 Big Bellies were installed along with several stand-alone recycling units, and four recycling kiosks. The new Big Belly Recycling Kiosks include a big belly trash compactor and two recycling units – one for paper products and one for mixed recyclables, namely bottles and cans. The new units have a sleek new design and are more attractive and compact in size.
“They are filling up and being used regularly which is great news,” Mayor Kimberley Driscoll stated. “The City has made increasing recycling participation a priority and this is just another step in reaching this goal.”
Big Bellies operate using solar energy; and compact trash to 25% of its typical size; saving energy in pick-up and disposal costs. Last year, the City successfully installed several Big Bellies throughout the City, the majority of which were located in the downtown. The Big Bellies have made collecting trash from the downtown more streamlined and energy efficient.
The new Big Bellies and Recycling Kiosks were purchased with funds from two sources: grant money earned by the City and administered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and recycling revenue received from the City’s 2008 paper recycling.
On August 4th, the City initiated a weekly recycling program, as part of the new 5-year trash collection contract with Northside Carting. The first two weeks have been a great success; as citizens continue to increase their recycling. These recycling units in public areas allow the continuation of improved recycling citywide; and enable the public to participate.
In addition to the Big Bellies, during July the City received 25 bright blue Canabales which are the size of small trash cans, and labeled for cans, plastic or paper. These units were part of a Department of Environmental Protection grant awarded to the City. Ten of these units have been placed at the Salem golf course last week, to eliminate the former overflowing trash barrels. The remainder will be seen throughout the City for special events, such as the Salem Jazz Festival and Haunted Happenings. Over the next few weeks, spurred by the recycling committee, the MBTA will also be purchasing recycling units for the Salem train station.
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