BEYOND THE BIN

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A New Way to Think About Waste

Beyond the Bin Priorities

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• Divert waste from landfills and incineration
• Work on source reduction
• Educate the community about reducing waste
• Research solutions
• Support programs and events

Why is Thinking Beyond the Bin Important?

HEALTH: Toxic chemicals in plastics are detrimental to our health, especially children

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ENVIRONMENT: Greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production contribute to global warming

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WASTE MANAGEMENT: Less than 9% of plastic waste is recycled, accumulation in landfills and our oceans

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FOOD & SOIL HEALTH: Microplastics have been found in soil, fertilizer, and in our food

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WILDLIFE HABITAT: Scientists have documented plastic ingestion in 331 species of wildlife.

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MARINE ECOSYSTEMS: Heavy metals like lead, mercury and chromium progress up the food chain

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How Can You Help?

REFUSE WASTE AT THE SOURCE

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• Refuse single use plastic bags at the deli, around your newspaper, at any retail store or restaurant
• Refuse styrofoam to go containers
• Refuse with your own personal to go kit - reusable mug, bowl, napkin, utensils, cloth produce and grocery bags

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How Can You Help?

REDUCE CONSUMPTION

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• Will it add value to your life?
• Can it be borrowed from a friend or neighbor?
• Can you share it with a friend or neighbor?
• Can it be purchased from a local thrift store?

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How Can You Help?

REUSE CONTAINERS & BAGS

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• At the grocery store - bring your own produce & grocery bags
• In the kitchen - washable dishcloths and towels
• Clothing & textiles - shop at a local charity store
• Take Out - bring your own mug, bowl, utensils, napkins�

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How Can You Help?

RE-GIFT ITEMS YOU DON’T NEED

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• Start a neighborhood or community gift swap for excess or unused:

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• Books: literature, cookbooks, children’s books, coffee table books, textbooks
• Clothes and footwear: jeans, sweaters, pajamas, coats, hiking boots, running shoes
• Kitchenware: plates, glasses, utensils, cookware, measuring cups, jars, small appliances, napkins, table cloths, dish towels
• Household goods: tools, seeds, plants, power strips, phone chargers, electronics, camping gear, sporting equipment, tarps, sheets, fabric, notions, picture frames, pet supplies
• Toys: games, puzzles, LEGO bricks, stuffed animals, art supplies
• Food: cookies, jam, bread, starters for fermented foods, garden surplus
• Skills: lessons of all kinds, such as knitting, cooking, music, dancing, skating, photography

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How Can You Help?

REPAIR INSTEAD OF THROWING AWAY

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• Will the manufacturer repair or replace the item?
• Kitchen timers, head lamps, socks, garden tools, measuring tapes

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• Can you fix it yourself with guidance from the manufacturer or the retailer where it was purchased?

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• Host a Repair Cafe or Fix It Clinic in Your School or Community Center
• small appliances,, small electronics, clothing/textiles, home and garden tools, jewelry, toys and bicycles, outdoors gear, electronics, knife sharpening, small furniture, books, board games, and computers

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• You Tube - You Tube - You Tube!

How Can You Help?

RE-PURPOSE TO A NEW USE

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• Socks - repurpose as a cleaning rag
• Books - use pages in an art project
• Wooden ladders - bookshelves
• Broken pottery - mosaic art

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How Can You Help?

RECYCLE - NOTICE IT’S WAY DOWN ON THE LIST

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• Recycle Right - contaminated bales have no market value
• Recycling is a marketing campaign by the fossil fuel industry
• Only 9% of plastic is recycled - #1, #2, #5 typically accepted at recycling centers
• 8 million tons of plastic waste ends up in our oceans each year
• Terracycle is an option, but expensive
• Polystyrene recycling (styrofoam) has promise
• Vermont requires food composting - check at your local transfer station or recycling center
• Get food composting started at your local transfer station or recycling center

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Beyond The Bin Actions

• Host a polystyrene collection day
• Host a Repair Cafe
• Organize a plant pot recycling event
• Compost
• Join a Community Support Agriculture program at your local farm
• Collect your plastic waste for one week - grocery bags, plastic wrap, disposable cutlery, straws, coffee-cup lids - evaluate what you can replace with homemade food or bulk purchases
• Don’t buy bottled water
• Purchase items second hand - avoid plastic packaging
• Buy in bulk
• Collaborate on purchasing a Terracycle box for plastics not accepted at your recycling center
• Set up a community swap event
• Set up a community yard sale
• Request paper wrapping at the grocery store deli
• Start a petition to ban plastic bags and bottles in your town
• Assemble a Take Out kit with a mug/water bottle, bowl, stainless steel container, utensils, and napkin
• Other ideas?

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Beyond the Bin Resources

1. Newbury, VT SW Committee has just started a voluntary plastic separation program and accepts #3,#4,#5 plastics and has a relationship with a recycler in PA. Link to recycler - https://www.trigonplastics.com/

2. Home Depot & Lowe's accept plant pots. It's worth a call to the local or even regional leadership to verify. HD & Lowe's have a relationship with East Jordan Plastics in Michigan who recycles them and returns them to the landscaping industry. They don't need to be washed, just free of dirt, plant tags, and staples. They are loaded onto pallets and held until EJP swings by on their NE route. Some plant tags are #5 & #6.

3. Polystyrene recycling occurs only in Massachusetts so far - Gold Circuit in Palmer, MA and Save That Stuff in Charlestown, MA also processes the rigid material only, but they are further away for us. A movement is afoot with Casella, Hypertherm, and Dartmouth evaluating the installation of a facility somewhere in the Upper Valley.

5. Subaru has a relationship with Terracycle to recycle snack packaging.

6. Link to our local Recycling Guide - Use and Reuse!

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