Clean up and Clear Out! May 5 was a Great Day for Recycling in Bedford

A total of 146 cars lined up at Saturday’s DPW recycling day – Courtesy image (c) Bedford DPW, 2018 all rights reserved – Click to view larger image

By Lauren Ennis

Bedford did some spring cleaning with not one but two recycling events on Saturday, May 5.

The first of these events was the Bedford Department of Public Works’ annual Spring Recycle Day. Residents brought a variety of items ranging from paper, to scrap metal, to propane tanks to the DPW to be recycled and reused. Recycling Coordinator Ed McGrath explained that the event is designed to “give people the opportunity to do the right thing” by providing an accessible way for residents to recycle items that cannot be collected in their weekly recycling pickup. He also emphasized that the event provides “outreach and education” to residents by encouraging a community effort towards sustainability while providing information about how and where to recycle all year.

The scrap metal container was more than half full, and in addition the collection netted 35 propane tanks, 14 fire extinguishers, and 22 tires

In 2018, more than 5,400 pounds of paper were shredded at one DPW collection

The event is one of two recycling drives conducted by the DPW (with another drive held each fall), and this year marks the second time that it was held on the same day as Transition Town Bedford’s Swap ‘N Donate Day. Staff were encouraged by the high turn-out, but as McGrath noted, “There’s always room for improvement,” and the DPW hopes to have even higher participation at its fall event.

Just a few minutes’ drive away from the DPW Transition Town Bedford kicked off its annual Swap ‘N Donate Day at the Law Offices of Brown and Brown. Transition member Frances Bigda-Peyton explained that the mission of Transition Town is to “create a sustainable future now.” While the event was sponsored by Transition Town Bedford, Bigda-Peyton emphasized that Swap ‘N Donate Day is a collaborative effort between a number of organizations. She commended the efforts of Transition volunteers as well as the volunteers representing Lexrap, Bikes Not Bombs, Mission of Deeds, and Christmas in the City.

Lexrap and Bikes Not Bombs are organizations that combine recycling with domestic and international aid. Along with monetary donations, Lexrap provides laptops to refugees and asylum seekers as well as formerly homeless veterans. Bikes Not Bombs distributes recycled bicycles to both residents of under-developed areas of the world and inner city residents in need of transportation. Bikes Not Bombs also provides an educational resource to qualifying urban residents. Participants are taught how to ride and maintain a bicycle and upon program completion provided with a recycled bicycle.

Mission of Deeds and Christmas in the City both provide assistance to needy and formerly homeless families. Mission of Deeds collects such household items as towels, sheets, blankets, comforters, pots, pans, and small kitchen appliances to both families in need and formerly homeless veterans. Christmas in the City collects holiday decorations, children’s books, and toys in their mission to give every family the chance to have a happy holiday. Bigda-Peyton said that participation has increased from last year, but stressed that she and the volunteers working with her are hoping for an even bigger event with even more resident and volunteer participation next year.