City Manager Seeks Members for Recycling Advisory Committee

The City of Cambridge is seeking residents and local professionals interested in serving on the Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) beginning January 2017. The RAC is a volunteer committee which provides advice, recommendations, and assistance to the Department of Public Works (DPW) regarding recycling, composting, reuse, and waste reduction. The DPW strives to meet the goals of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Solid Waste Master Plan to reduce residential trash. The RAC does this through research, feedback, public outreach, and event planning.

Cambridge Recycling began in 1989 with a few volunteers dedicated to beginning a recycling drop-off program. Today, the City recovers more than 11,000 tons/year of recyclables from more than 44,000 households. Many residents drop off food scraps and every public school has composting. The curbside food scraps collection pilot diverts over six tons per week, and will expand citywide in the fall of 2017.

Currently, the City’s goals to reduce waste match those in the MA Solid Waste Master Plan. Using 2008 as a baseline year, the City aims to reduce trash 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Some strategies that City staff have identified to realize this reduction in trash include maximize recycling, educate and increase reduction of food waste while implementing food scrap collection programs; strengthen programs that encourage reuse, repair and donation of durable goods and materials; and support extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation for problem products.

The Committee has been active for over 20 years and consists of at least nine members with a demonstrated interest in the topics listed above. Members serve a three-year term and are expected to attend monthly meetings (Sept-June). The City seeks members that represent local businesses and property managers, Cambridge residents and users of the Recycling Center, universities, non-profit organizations and social service agencies whose goals overlap with waste reduction.

Duties, Responsibilities, and Minimum Requirements include:

• Attend and participate in monthly meeting, held second Wednesday of the month (September-June) at 8 a.m.;
• Participate in creating committee direction and implementation of ideas;
• Take a leadership role in projects, such as doing research, organizing & attending events, advocating for Extended Producer Responsibility legislation, etc;
• Work with the Public Works Recycling Division, Climate Protection Committee, and other appropriate City staff to provide feedback on City initiatives and collaborate on various projects;
• Research different approaches to communication, education and best practices for recycling, composting, reuse and waste reduction programs;
• Disseminate outreach materials and post flyers in the community to educate the public;
• Write articles for all varieties of media promoting City programs and services including newspaper editorials, blog posts, newsletter articles, etc;
• Initiate, plan, attend and run events to promote recycling, composting, reuse and waste reduction;
• Recruit additional volunteers for specific events and projects;
• Meet with the community and participate in at least 2-3 events, such as Danehy Park Family Day, Family Fun Day, Fresh Pond Day, May Fair, block parties;

• Continually promote positive recycling, composting, reuse, and waste reduction whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Helpful Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Marketing;
• Advocacy for state and federal policy on extended producer responsibility;
• Knowledge of the reuse industry;
• Familiarity with the Cambridge Public Schools;
• Knowledge about using recycled materials

Interested persons should submit a letter of interest via email by the newly extended deadline of Friday, December 2, 2016 describing their relevant experience and their professional/personal interest in these issues to:

City Manager
City of Cambridge
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
citymanager@cambridgema.gov

Please note that all current Committee members interested in serving again must also submit a letter of interest.