An Update from the City of Newton DPW
Sustainable Materials Management Division
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Let's Talk about Plastic: Are My Take-Out Containers All Trash?
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Dear Newton Sustainable Materials Management Team,
I just found out black plastic isn’t recyclable and my go-to restaurant uses black plastic take-out containers. I want to support local businesses during this critical time. Help! What do I do?
Sincerely,
Eco-conscious Foodie
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Dear Eco-conscious Foodie,
First off, kudos to you. It’s wonderful that you want to reduce your waste and support local businesses. The good news is, when it comes to more sustainable take-out options, this is not an either/or situation (i.e. either you don’t order take-out or you do and are doomed to a mountain of trash). Here, I’ll walk you through your options for navigating the take-out scene as an eco-conscious foodie.
First, let’s address the elephant in the room - black plastic. Many restaurants are using black plastic take-out containers and you are correct: these are NOT recyclable. The optical sorters at recycling facilities can’t “see” black plastic containers on the black conveyor belts. Even if it’s sorted properly, black plastic is tricky because it cannot be dyed other colors when making new products, limiting its recycling potential. That said, all other color plastic take-out containers - clear, white, green, purple, orange, rainbow – ARE recyclable. It may be as simple as a conversation with your favorite restaurant to see if they would switch to a different color container.
Now, if we zoom out beyond your immediate concern about black plastic containers, your question touches on an important discussion around the role we all play in the “throw-away culture” which has only been exacerbated by COVID-19. In a recent piece in the Washington Post, food-critic Tom Sietsema shares his frustration with the “mountain of trash” that has gone hand-in-hand with his uptick in takeout and delivery orders since March.
As you are well aware, we are in the middle of a global pandemic. Sustainability may not be top-of-mind for your local restaurant owner who is understandably focused on the health and safety of their employees and customers while adapting to this huge disruption in their operations. However, this doesn’t mean we should just accept single-use disposable food service-ware as the “new normal.” So what should we do?
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Know what take-out items can be recycled. Take-out food service-ware comes in many shapes and sizes (and colors too!). Use the Recycle Right tool on the Recycle Right App or on our website to find out what is recyclable in Newton.
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Ask restaurants to skip the straws, disposable utensils and condiment packets. To-go orders traditionally come with disposable utensils, straws, and individual condiment packets so you can eat on-the-go. But since you're most likely eating at home, do you really need that flimsy plastic fork? Next time you order food to go, ask the restaurant to skip these single-use items. Unfortunately, many restaurants are switching to disposable food-ware even in dine-in settings. There’s a widespread misconception that single use items like disposable utensils and cups are safer than the real thing. Not only are single use plastics not inherently safer than washable dishware (see this statement signed by over 115 health experts), this lays the ground work for a disposable culture. Dr. Ben Locwin, an epidemiologist consulting for the Centers for Disease Control on COVID-19, went as far as to say that restaurants using disposable utensils and cups as a means to reduce transmission of COVID-19 is merely “symbolic theater just for customer ‘optics.’” See “Spread Facts, Not Germs: Businesses Can Do Their Part to Protect Employees, Customers, and The Planet” for more about why this misconception is so problematic.
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Start up a conversation with your local restaurant owner about greener take-out packaging options. Many restaurants are receptive to customers' environmental concerns. We see this with more and more restaurants switching to compostable cups, plates, clam-shells and cutlery. While we applaud this commitment to the environment, according to research from Oregon DEQ, compostable options are not always better for the environment, can contain toxic chemicals, and only break down if they are sent to an industrial composting facility. Plus these compostable options are often more expensive for restaurant owners. On the other hand, only offering single-use items on request and adopting a system for reusable food-ware can save the restaurant money. A win-win. ReThink Disposables has several great resources for restaurants including a cost-savings calculator, Reusable Food-ware Guide and case studies of businesses who have already made the switch. Spark up a conversation with your favorite local eatery and see if they’d be open to some of these changes.
You can have your cake and eat it too. It is possible to disrupt the "take-out culture” AND help our local restaurants thrive. Just remember – consumers have more power than we think; and waste prevention is a journey.
Sincerely,
Newton Sustainable Materials Management Team
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Resource Recovery Center Updates |
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Appointments can be scheduled by calling Customer Service at (617) 796-1000 Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 5pm.
Goodwill, the Book Shed, and the Paint Shed are closed until further notice. The Resource Recovery Center only collects recyclable materials. No wood furniture or overflow household trash are accepted at the site.
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Swap Shop OPEN through October |
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Diorama of Swap Shop by Sandy Jones |
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Clear out clutter without adding to the waste stream! The Swap Shop is open this year with some operational changes in place to keep us all safe. To access the Swap Shop, residents must call to make an appointment for the Resource Recovery Center by calling Customer Service at (617) 796-1000 Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 5pm.
No clothing, accessories, linens, or other textiles are accepted. Only items smaller than a carry on suitcase will be accepted. If you need help unloading it, it's too big, and will not be accepted.
Other safety measures in place:
- Masks are required for residents and volunteers.
- The number of shoppers is limited to 4 at any one time.
- Items are spaced to maintain social distance on shopping days.
- All items are set outside. Because the Swap Shop is run by volunteers, and it's now entirely outside, the Swap Shop being open is weather dependent. During moderate and heavy rainfall it will be closed.
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Protocols for this program have been approved through the City of Newton Health and Human Services Department. |
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Secure Document Shredding and Drug Take-Back Day |
Saturday, November 14th
8:00 am - 12:00 pm - by appointment
Resource Recovery Center
115 Rumford Ave.
Advanced sign-up required: call the Newton Senior Center at 617-796-1662 and leave a message with your name, telephone number, and preferred time slots (available in 15-min increments). You will receive a call back confirming your registration.
Clean out your old files and medicine cabinets.
Shredding is for RESIDENTIAL materials only (no business materials). Staples/paperclips may be left attached to documents, and paper bags may be shredded. Limit: 4 document boxes OR 8 paper bags per car.
Bring your old or unused prescription medications to be properly disposed. NO liquids, aerosols, or sharps will be accepted.
Drive-through service only; residents must remain in their cars during shredding and drug take-back for everyone's safety. Face coverings required.
This secure event will be overseen by the Newton Police Department and participants will not be permitted to watch their items being shredded; departure is required once your car is emptied.
This event will be cancelled in the case of a pandemic-related lockdown of non-essential programs. The Recycling Center will be only open for shredding on Nov. 14; it is not otherwise currently open on Saturdays.
Cosponsored by the Newton Department of Senior Services, the Newton Department of Public Works, the Newton Police Department, and the Newton Department of Health and Human Services.
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Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events |
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We are excited to announce that the next Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection event will take place on Thursday, November 19th by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled by calling Customer Service at (617) 796-1000, Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 5pm. Appointment times available for this event are between 7:30am-1pm.
Residents can expect to confirm their appointment time and verify proof of residency with the attendant at the gate. Only one vehicle per appointment is allowed. Commercial materials and commercial vehicles are not allowed. Residents without an appointment will not be able to enter the site and will be asked to come back after they have made an appointment.
This event is likely to get fully booked due to high demand. It is likely there will be more HHW events later this fall, with dates yet to be determined. We appreciate your patience while we navigate staffing and safety issues during these unprecedented times.
What is accepted at household hazardous waste collection events?
Household Products: Cleaners, aerosols, solvents, pest control, floor & furniture polishes, disinfectants, houseplant chemicals, spot remover, silver & copper polish
Paint Products: Oil & lead based paints, stain, varnish, thinners, adhesives
Auto Products: Antifreeze, gasoline, waxes, polishes, used motor oil
Outdoor Products: Pesticides, weed killers, fungicides, fertilizers, pool chemicals, insect & rodent killers
Miscellaneous: Nail polish & remover, glue, mothballs, artist & hobby supplies, photo chemicals, chemistry sets, flea collars and flea shampoos
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How to manage waste from grocery shipments |
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CooLiners (see photo) are commonly used to keep perishables safe during grocery shipments. These metallic bubble wrap products are not recyclable curbside, and not accepted in plastic bag/film recycling.
Furthermore, meal kit companies send freezer packs with shipments. The contents of the ice pack is trash, and the plastic film must be empty and clean to be recycled with plastic bag/film. Arguably, it's more wasteful to try to clean this plastic film than it would be to trash the whole thing.
For both items, it's best to trash them. But, we strongly encourage you to try to reuse the items, or give away to someone to reuse. Although it is frustrating these items are not recyclable, there is a lot to consider when thinking about the environmental impact. Our friends at the State of Oregon DEQ dove deeper into this topic: "life cycle impacts of materials is complex and attempting to simplify that to a single attribute such as recyclability does not consistently result in lower impacts."
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Prescription Medications
Drop off your unwanted or expired prescription medications. There are now two locations available 24/7:
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The new medication kiosk at City Hall - a bright red kiosk is located to the right of the steps in the front of the City Hall building
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The Police Station(1321 Washington St.) - the kiosk is located in the main entrance. Pill medications only, no sharps or liquids.
Here are some important reasons to clean out your medicine cabinet:
- Medicines in the home are a leading cause of accidental poisoning.
- More than 50% of people who misuse prescription painkillers get them for free or took them without asking from a friend or relative who had a prescription.
- 80% of new heroin users started out misusing prescription painkillers.
How to safeguard your medications:
- Keep prescription painkillers in a secure and safe place. Locked or hidden is best.
- Dispose of unwanted or expired medications right away.
- Don’t flush medications.
- Dispose of liquid medications by mixing them with inedible materials such as coffee grounds or kitty litter, then placing them in the trash.
Find more information on the city-wide substance use task force, and for substance use resources and referrals.
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Never Miss Trash Day Again
USE RECYCLE RIGHT NEWTON
Want to make managing trash and recycling at home easier? Newton has an app for that.
With the Recycle Right Newton App you can:
- Set reminders and view calendar for trash, recycling, and subscription compost pick-ups
- Stay in the loop on collection day delays due to holidays or weather events
- Find the right way to get rid of stuff
- Test your recycling skills with an interactive waste sorting game—fun for kids and adults!
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No smartphone? No problem.
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Thank You for Recycling Right! |
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Get involved:
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Volunteer to work at the Swap Shop or on another project that suits your interests
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Attend a Solid Waste Commission meeting to engage in sustainable materials management policy
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Learn about the latest news at City Hall and around Newton. We'll look forward to sharing updates with you!
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City of Newton
Department of Public Works
Sustainable Materials Management Division
1000 Commonwealth Ave
Newton, MA 02459
617-796-1000
recycling@newtonma.gov
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