Needham RTS, Green Needham Host Recycling & Solid Waste Forum

November 2^nd event will include discussion of current recycling trends, food waste in Needham, state Waste Ban, and more

NEEDHAM – Tuesday, October 25, 2022 — Needham Public Works, in collaboration with Green Needham, will host a Recycling & Solid Waste Forum at the Needham Public Library, November 2^nd from 7pm – 9pm.

Matthew DeMarrais, Acting Superintendent of the Recycling & Solid Waste for the Town will provide an overview of the Recycling & Transfer Station and current trash & recycling data, projects, and recent upgrades.

Greg Cooper, MA DEP Director will present Challenges of Waste in MA.  He will discuss the revised MA DEP Waste Ban items, layout the goals of the 2030 Solid Waste Master Plan and discuss the ways we will achieve those waste-reduction marks.

Greg Williams from Agri-Cycle Energy will present on Food Waste Recycling in New England.  He will focus on the current process of food waste recycling through anerobic digestion – current technology, the challenges, and long-term goals.  Dovetailing on Greg William’s talk, Jen Tuttelman from the Needham Public Schools Nutritional Services will speak briefly about the upcoming food waste program at the High School.

Paul Degnan is the General Manager of Casella Recycling’s Auburn Material Recovery Facility (the Town’s household recycling processor). Paul will discuss what items can and can’t be recycled and recycling challenges.  He will also provide an overview of regional and national markets, with an eye towards next year’s trends.

Following these presentations will be a Q & A session.