STATE REPRESENTATIVE Kate Lipper-Garabedian, far right, with the Melrose Pedestrian & Bicyclist Committee at the Recycling & Sustainability event.
MELROSE — On April 1, 2023, State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian hosted her second annual Recycling & Sustainability Day event in the city of Melrose. By partnering with the City of Melrose, Green Team Junk Removal, and organizations local to the city and across the Commonwealth, this one-day event was a successful hub that allowed Melrosians to “spring clean for a cause” and learn how to further their sustainability initiatives.
At the Recycling & Sustainability Day Event, Melrose residents recycled and upcycled inefficient dehumidifiers, gently used furniture, appliances, housewares, and outdated electronics. Specifically, the event collected approximately 1700 pounds of electronics, 62 air conditioners, 95 flat screen televisions, 36 mattresses and box springs, 56 tires, 24 CRTs, and 23 car batteries. Enough Styrofoam was collected to fill an entire 26-foot truck. National Grid provided rebates for dehumidifiers; housewares were collected to support Habitat for Humanity; and Green Team Junk Removal offered peace of mind with proper data erasing for electronics. The event was also an opportunity to explore household organic waste solutions with Black Earth Compost, participate in a bike swap with the Melrose Pedestrian and Bicyclist Committee, address Styrofoam and hard-to-recycle plastics with Zero Waste Melrose, get household goods cleaning tips and supplies information from Melrose-based Lend and Mend, and discover how to take climate action with local environmental organizations such as Keep Melrose Beautiful and the Melrose Energy Commission. Representative Lipper Garabedian also partnered with Bread of Life collecting food, clothing, and toiletries which she delivered to the Malden-based nonprofit that supports economically struggling and disadvantaged families, individuals, youth, and senior citizens in the North Metro Boston area.
“For the second year in a row, heavy April showers couldn’t dampen our Melrose community’s spirits, civic engagement, and climate leadership,” said Representative Lipper-Garabedian, a member of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy and the Zero Waste Caucus. “I’m glad we could collectively make meaningful impact for climate action and am proud to partner with leadership from the grassroots up to the State House to make this day possible.”
“The City of Melrose is proud to offer our residents resources and events that empower them to minimize waste, reuse, recycle, and explore ways to further their personal sustainability efforts,” said Mayor Paul Brodeur. “I’m grateful to State Representative Lipper-Garabedian for once again spearheading the annual Recycling & Sustainability Day here in Melrose. I look forward to our continued collaboration as the City fulfills its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by the year 2050.”
“I was excited to team up with State Representative Lipper-Garabedian for her second-annual sustainability drive. Our Melrose event was extremely successful,” said Fred Cullen, founder and owner of Green Team Junk Removal. “We welcomed 377 cars with materials to recycle and enjoyed working with a large variety of vendors. The Green Team also was glad to present Zero Waste Melrose with a $500 donation to its sustainability efforts, recognizing its contribution to the event and other initiatives throughout the year.”
“The day showed Melrosians’ dedication to recycling and reducing waste,” said Jeana McNeil, member of Zero Waste Melrose. “Zero Waste Melrose collected 1700 cubic feet of polystyrene foam to be densified into hard plastic for reuse and hundreds of plastic packaging items to be recycled through Terracycle.”
“Thanks to Representative Lipper-Garabedian and her staff for hosting this event and putting the work in to make the event so successful!” shared Lenore Gauthier Smith, member of Keep Melrose Beautiful. “Although the rain may have kept a few residents home, some amazing outcomes were experienced by all involved. It was a fantastic opportunity for the community and organizations to partner with government and businesses to support common goals.”
Residents can follow Representative Lipper-Garabedian’s social media at @KateforRep and her newsletters, available at tinyurl.com/KLGnewsletters, to learn more about this annual event.
