2004 Annual Report

Curbside Recycling

During 2004 Merrimac generated 1210 tons of trash. 34 percent of this was recycled at curbside. Recycled items included 310 tons of mixed paper and 105 tons of mixed recyclables including cans, glass and plastic. Recycling recently received award notice for new recycling bins, which will be available in the fall of 2005.

Yard Waste Site

75 Christmas trees were collected in January. Approximately 50 tons of biodegradable material including leaves, grass, and brush was collected in the summer and fall. Brush collection was limited due to time constraints of the highway department. Recycling appreciates the continued support of the highway department for chipping brush, loading materials, and maintaining the site. The highway department put up the new gate in the beginning of the year. In March Recycling negotiated a reduced per truck rate of $150 with Spring Hill for the carting. With the support of the Parks and Recreation Commission, work on improving the storage shed/monitor shelter was completed.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day

In July 143 residents took advantage of the event safely disposing of hazardous materials. Items collected included: 75 propane tanks; 61 tires; 32 batteries; 30 fluorescent bulbs; several hundred gallons of oil paint, flammable liquids, and pesticides; and nearly 325 gallons of used oil. A fee of $5.00 per car was charged to offset the cost of the program. Merrimac pays Clean Harbors $24 - $39 per car load. Separate fees were charged for items including: car batteries, propane tanks and tires. Residents who had obsolete electronics to drop off were directed to Allied Computer Brokers in Amesbury.

Programs

The committee has presented recycling lessons at the Donaghue School. Mrs. Simmons fourth grade class has joined the Department of Environmental Protection's Green Team program. Other continuing programs include paper recycling in both elementary schools, town hall and the library. Flyers have been distributed to the schools to raise awareness and list approved papers items to recycle.

Grants

Municipal Recycling Incentive Program (MRIP) financial grants were suspended in 2003 due to funding reductions. During active years this voluntary municipal program provides per ton incentive payments to qualifying municipalities for each ton of specified materials that residents recycle. Recycling has received MRIP financial grants in past years. In 2004 Recycling applied for and received grants for calendars mailed to residents and education supplies for schools.

Respectfully submitted by the Recycling Committee