Toward Zero Waste – Green Needham

Learn about the four R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink – to address problems of waste. You can make a difference – by reducing your consumption of “stuff,” repairing and/or re-purposing items instead of throwing them away, participating in the “shared” economy, following “smart” recycling practices, and reducing your food waste.

Reduce/Reuse

Why reduce your waste? The EPA estimates that we use 380 billion plastic bags/wraps each year. The junk mail that we receive destroys 100 million trees a year, and half of plastic produced is for single-use items.

Recycling

Learn how you can recycle "smart" and avoid some recycling mistakes. it's the right thing to do and it's easy.

Recycling Tips - Best Practices

This page lists "best practices" for recycling at the Needham RTS. Following these ensures that Needham's recyclables will command the highest possible price in the market.

Ask the Recycler

Have a Recycling Question? Consult the RTS website, with its many details about what can and cannot be recycled, and check out our FAQs...

Food Waste

Over 40% of the food produced in the United States - and the energy, water and money used to produce it - is never used to feed someone - it is wasted somewhere between farm and table. We can take actions to reduce this ...

Resources

Documents

Resources on the Web

	Bay State Recycling Recycles worn, ripped and stained textiles into insulation, carpet padding, soundproofing material, and industrial wiping cloths.
	Beyond Plastics Their mission is to end plastic pollution everywhere
	Beyond Plastics Beyond Plastics - Plastic Free/Zero Waste Holiday Gift Guide
	Green Needham 2017-11-29 Event Video: Toward a Zero Waste Future Watch Green Needham's "Toward a Zero Waste Future" program with several speakers and a Q&A period.
	Green Needham Recyclopedia
	Narragansett Students Win Prize in C-SPAN Documentary Competition "A Plastic Bay" documentary created by RI students Wins Prize in C-SPAN Documentary Competition
	Needham High School Environmental Action Club - Awareness through Action Needham High School Environmental Action Club Interview with The Needham Channel Feb. 23, 2023
	Needham Recycling and Transfer Station
	Needham RTS/Green Needham Recycling & Solid Waste Forum 11/2/22 - Needham Channel video recording Needham RTS/Green Needham Recycling & Solid Waste Forum 11/2/22 - Needham Channel video recording
	RecyclingWorks Massachusetts RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts is a recycling assistance program designed to help businesses and institutions maximize recycling, reuse, and composting opportunities.
	South Shore Recycling Cooperative Provides support and education for correct recycling and waste minimization practices
	The Compost Story by Kiss The Ground The Compost Story (Full Video) by Kiss The Ground - from 2017 or earlier; was recommended by Greg Smith, former RTS superindent
	The Problem with Plastic Bags PSA from Green Needham's Plastic Waste Reduction Team
	WasteWise Wellesley Town of Wellesley’s 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Working Group's information on food waste reduction projects.