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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
September 21, 2009 JASON SILVA, CHIEF OF STAFF
978-619-5603
Recycling Pays Off for Salem “Tree City” Neighborhoods.
SALEM, MA – Statistics show that for each ton of paper recycled 17 trees are saved from destruction. Over the last year, Salem residents have recycled over 1,700 tons of paper; thereby saving nearly 30,000 trees. Paper collected in Salem is recycled within 30 to 60 days into cereal boxes, books, and other paper products.
To reward and promote recycling in Salem neighborhood’s and increase recycling rates citywide, Northside Carting in partnership with SalemRecycles is sponsoring a “recycling route competition” for the route (day of the week) with the most improved percentage of recycling. Each quarter, the daily route with the largest percentage improvement in recycling will receive a tree donated by NSC and planted by the City’s DPS department within the route’s geographical area.
“There is a perfectly symmetry to this program – trees are saved through recycling, and with the help of Northside Carting we are able to plant trees locally to the betterment of the Salem community and environment” states Liz Vago, chair of SalemRecycles.
Initially conceived in January 2009 by Northside Carting, the contest tracks Monday through Friday recycling route collection. Each day of the work week represents a different geographical area (routes can be viewed at http://salem.com/Pages/SalemMA_Recycling/trashroutemap.pdf). Wednesday’s trash route showed the largest recycling percentage increase of 2.3% over the previous quarter. The Department of Public Services Director Richard Rennard evaluated the selected location on Jefferson Ave. and chose an aristocratic pear or a red maple tree to plant. The tree planting will take place on Tuesday, September 29 at 2 pm near 210 Jefferson Ave, and includes participation from Northside Carting,
SalemRecycles, Mayor Driscoll, Councilor Pelletier, and Rick Rennard.
To learn more about the recycling route competition and how you can help win a tree for your neighborhood, please contact the Engineering Department at 978-619-5679.
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