It’s hard to grasp the numbers. The juice box, the broken table lamp, the paper coffee cup, the moldy orange — every item tossed out becomes part of a stream of municipal waste that, together with materials such as demolition/construction
Every home in Needham has “that drawer” – the one heaping full of plastic utensils, soy sauce and ketchup packets. On January 1, 2026, Needham implemented Skip the Stuff, a bylaw aimed at reducing unnecessary waste from single-use food service items.
This holiday season, as you are shopping locally for gifts and groceries, don’t forget to bring your reusable shopping bag. Shopping locally is a powerful way to support your community while minimizing your environmental impact. One simple yet impactful habit
When Volante Farms switched from plastic bags to paper bags at their grocery checkout, it was a “little bit of a learning curve” for customers and staff alike, owner Steve Volante said. “You don’t overfill them. The handles all rip,
It all adds up! Every year Massachusetts generates 5.7 million tons of trash, of which 2.2 million tons are exported to other states. In the face of serious environmental concerns and shrinking disposal capacity throughout the Northeast, Massachusetts has a
The Environmental Action Club has a long history of activism, working to bring awareness on environmental issues primarily to the Needham High School Students and the Needham Community. The club is student led, meeting weekly in the morning before school.
Plastic production has exploded since the 1950s. Its successful role in many applications during World War II helped to spark tremendous growth in the ensuing peacetime economy. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, global plastics production surged by 20 times
In the classic 1967 movie The Graduate, Ben, the main character played by Dustin Hoffman, is chatting at his college graduation party when he is urgently pulled aside by Mr. McGuire, a mid-career family friend. In a hush tone, Mr.
Don’t throw out those tattered jeans! As of Nov. 1, 2022, clothing and textiles are no longer allowed to be thrown away in the trash in Massachusetts, as the state moves to drastically reduce its solid waste. Why this textile ban?
The timing was perfect — a new waste ban for textiles in Massachusetts, a bombshell Greenpeace study casting doubt on plastics recycling, and an engaged audience anxious to get their questions answered. The Nov. 2, 2022 Needham Solid Waste Forum,
On Wednesday, November 2nd at 7 pm, the Needham RTS and Green Needham will host a Recycling & Solid Waste Forum in the Community Room of the Needham Public Library. There will be multiple presentations by individuals closely connected to this topic,
Are you recycling “smart” and avoiding the most common recycling mistakes? Not sure? Want to learn more? Then read on… Learning to Recycle correctly is important for several reasons. Adding items to recycle bins that you “hope” or “wish” were
Our food waste problem Did you know that food waste in the U.S. makes up the largest percentage of our overall solid waste at 22%?1 It’s scary to think of how high that number is, but it also presents
In case you hadn’t heard, the Re-Use-It Swap Shop at Needham RTS has reopened! Yes, you can now drop off reusable items that are in good/usable condition, and/or shop for items that you need/want. This is a great resource for
The Town of Needham today announced additional changes to procedures for waste & recycling disposal at the RTS, effective Saturday, April 4th. The changes are primarily to how and when residents interact at the RTS. The restrictions on what can
Updated 4/2/20 to include additional changes announced today. Waste disposal is an essential service that continues during the current COVID-19 response. The RTS remains open for residents and commercial waste haulers, with some some modifications to services. Please note these
We should all be bringing our own re-useable bags with us when you shop, but if we end up with a few single use plastic bags, here’s a great way to repurpose them. Intergenerational – and environmentally-friendly – mat-making at
Handling leftovers at home is one thing, but what do you do with unsold food left over from a cafeteria that feeds over 1,500 students? Fortunately, food rescue is in great hands at Needham High School thanks to a partnership
The seven largest stores in Needham are now complying with the Select Board’s Plastic Checkout Bag Policy. The Select Board’s Plastic Checkout Bag Policy was adopted on March 20, 2018. It requested that the largest stores in town (over 3,500
The annual Needham Parent Talk Spring Sale, takes place on Sunday, May 5, 2019, from 8:30 am -12:45 pm at the Eliot School. This sale facilitates the re-use of children’s clothing and toys, keeping many perfectly usable items out of
