Mystic River Cleanup Joins Recycling Challenge
– Ken Krause
Sorting recyclables at its Spring Mystic River Cleanup this year helped net the Friends of the Mystic River a $500 contribution for its programs.
The Friends will recycle again at its Fall Mystic River Cleanup on Saturday, Oct. 3, but this time in hopes of helping win up to $15,000 for the city of Medford.
Last May, the Friends participated in the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Clean-Up Litter Sort, separating containers for soda, juice, water, sports drinks and alcoholic beverage containers, as well as Styrofoam, plastic and paper cups, and plastic grocery bags.
The tally was part of a statewide data gathering that is being used to evaluate possible changes to the bottle bill legislation.
For the Fall Cleanup, the Friends will separate aluminum cans to contribute to the Cans for Cash City Recycling Challenge on behalf of Medford. The challenge, being conducted throughout October, offers prizes from $5,000 to $15,000 to the four cities that collect the most aluminum cans.
“It was a little more work to sort everything from our Spring Cleanup, but volunteers were very willing. We had a system and made it easy for them to participate,†said Mary Werowinski, President of the Friends.
Non-deposit water, juice and sport drink bottles were the most common collected (415), followed by non-deposit alcoholic beverage containers (289), deposit beer cans (121) and deposit soda cans (80). Similar information gathered from across the state shows that non-deposit containers generate the most litter.
“We invite everyone in Medford to take the Recycling Challenge. Start by joining our cleanup and continue throughout the entire month,†Werowinski said. “I would be proud if Medford could bring home the top prize.â€
The Mystic River Fall Cleanup will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 3. Meet at the Condon band shell on Route 16. For more information, visit the Friends’ website, www.fomr.org.
Meanwhile, all during October, Medford residents may drop off aluminum cans at the DPW Yard on James Street. Hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Look for the separate container marked for the cans only.
Sponsors of the Cans for Cash City Recycling Challenge are the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Novelis Corp., and Keep America Beautiful.
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