NERC in the News
Western Massachusetts recycling heroes lauded on America Recycles Day
Masslive.com, November 15, 2012
HOLYOKE - Green advocates gathered on Wednesday to offer kudos to individuals and businesses in Western Massachusetts who do their part for the environment on "America Recycles Day."
Recycling rock stars come in all shapes and sizes, apparently, based on awards handed out at the morning program at the Delaney House. They included big businesses, small businesses, couples and individuals. Their accomplishments included promoting, establishing or expanding recycling programs in cities and towns across the region through various methods.
The event was coordinated by the Springfield Materials Recycling Facility Advisory Board. The facility on Birnie Avenue in that city was built in the late 1980s and processes 30,000 tons of recyclables per year, serving 85 communities from Wilbraham to Pittsfield.
Among the honorees at the event were Margaret and Henry Eggert, two Hawley residents who over a dozen years have established a flourishing recycling program with students at the Hawlemont Regional Elementary School in Charlemont.
"At six bins per week ... the Eggerts have processed 3,000 bins of recyclable material with their own four hands," said Amy Donovan, presenter and program director for the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District.
Also honored were Diane Crowell, a West Springfield recycling volunteer; Robert Reeves, general manager of the Lord Jeffery Inn in Amherst; and The Republican and MassLive.com and the Daily Hampshire Gazette, for their annual recycling resources publications.
To spice up the breakfast program, featured performers "The Once More String Band" who played a (fittingly) recycled rendition of the Frank Sinatra standard, "All of Me, while tweaking the lyrics to make it a grateful tribute to the recycling fans: "All of You."
Lynn Rubinstein, executive director of the Northeast Recycling Council, was the keynote speaker at the event. She discussed a range of topics including the best-paying jobs in the green sector and how public-private partnerships can bolster the green movement in municipalities.
Also featured was Mayor Alex J. Morse, who talked about the litany of green projects gaining steam under his progressive administration - including a move toward more hydroelectric energy; rehabilitating decrepit buildings in lieu of demolition, and creating a more walkable and bike-friendly city through paths along the city's many canals.
"We have urban renewal plans ... that are better for jobs and better for the environment," Morse said.
Eric Weiss, sustainability director for the Hampshire County Council of Governments, said Western Massachusetts is well-positioned for an increasingly green culture.
"Recycling is part of what we do in Western Massachusetts. We have long-term recycling markets. It's not going anywhere," he said.
