The Green Acton Materials Committee has recently formed to think about how materials are used, reused, disposed of, and recycled in Acton.
Some of the areas the committee is interested in investigating are:
Recycling: What are best practices for recycling?
Repair Cafe: Several area towns run a regular event to prolong the use of various items. Some members of the Acton community are interested in starting one locally.
Chemicals in the Environment: Whether it be National Grid’s release of methane from its gas pipelines under our streets, or pesticides or fertilizers used by individuals, companies, farmers, or town entities, what can be done to minimize these substances?
Swap Shop :The Swap Shop operates at the Acton Transfer Station and is always looking for volunteers and new ideas.
Pay As You Throw: How is this working at the Transfer Station?
Single-Use Coffee Cups: Single-use coffee cups are a problem. What can we do about them? What other options are companies offering? Some companies are using a rental system for reusable mugs/cups.
Acton Clean Up Day: This town-wide event helps to rid trash and recycling materials from our environs, leaving Acton more beautiful and less polluted.
Plastics: Plastics — whether microplastics in drinking water or on/in virtually everything in the supermarket — are ever-present. How can we reduce our use and exposure?
Extended Producer Responsibility: This is the idea that manufacturers should be responsible for the items they produce at the end of their useful life. How can they reuse, recycle, or ensure that they use the least toxic materials possible?
Private Haulers: About half of town residents use private haulers. What percent of those collected materials is recycled? How can we track private hauler activity and be sure they are being responsible with disposal?
Compost: Do you compost at home or at the Acton Transfer Station? Are people able to compost at condo associations and larger apartment buildings? What is safe to compost? What are the regulations by the MA Department of Public Health? Might we want local regulations?
We welcome local residents to join us in our work and bring their ideas and energy.
Please come to our meeting on Wednesday, February 26th at 7:15 in the Acton Public Library, or contact us at materials-contact@greenacton.org