2018-TRASH MEMO — File 205421

MEMORANDUM TO: BOARD OF ALDERMAN FROM: VITHAL DESHPANDE, ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR SUBJECT: CURBSIDE TEXTILE RECYCLING PROGRAM DATE: MARCH 15, 2018 New Program The City of Somerville will start a curbside textile recycling program this spring. The planned start date of this program is April 17, 2018. Background This program will be operated by Simple Recycling, a vendor that was awarded this contract as the result of an RFP and competitive procurement process conducted by the City. This service will have no cost to the City throughout the three-year term of the contract. Several communities, including Brookline, Natick, and Medford, have begun similar curbside textiles recycling collection programs with Simple Recycling, and they have reported favorable service by the vendor as well as a high rate of customer satisfaction. This program will be available for all residential dwellings in the City that receive the City’s curbside trash and recycling services. This program is a part of the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce the trash and to maximize material recovery. The curbside program will complement existing textile drop boxes available at various locations across the City. Cities that have curbside textiles recycling have observed an increase in donations to drop boxes, due to overall increased awareness of textiles recycling/donation. How this program will work Prior to the start of the program, Somerville residents will receive a post card explaining the upcoming program. Simple Recycling will then provide pink colored plastic bags to all residents who receive City trash and recycling pick-up. Residents can place their textile materials, shoes and accessories in this pink bag. This bag should be placed on the curb on the regular trash day. A Simple Recycling truck will pick up the pink bags. Whenever a pink bag is collected, Simple Recycling will leave another pink bag at the residence for future use. Collection of pink bags will take place every week, on the same schedule as weekly trash and recycling pick-up. Details about the programs and frequently asked questions are enclosed with this memo as a separate attachment. For any additional information, please contact Vithal Deshpande, Environmental Coordinator at vdeshpande@somervillema.gov or [phone removed] x5070 Office of Sustainability and Environment.