Members Sought for City of Cambridge Recycling Advisory Committee

Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking Cambridge residents, business owners, and local professionals interested in serving on the Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) beginning in January 2023.

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 RAC does this through research, feedback, public outreach, and event planning. The RAC has helped the city implement the Zero Waste Master Plan, curbside composting, Fix-It Clinics, marketing and education, and other important initiatives that have made Cambridge a national leader in waste reduction.

About Recycling in Cambridge
Recycling in Cambridge began in 1989 with a few volunteers dedicated to beginning a recycling program. Today, the city recovers more than 10,000 tons/year of recyclables from more than 44,000 households and 200 small businesses. Approximately 32,000 households and 64 businesses have access to curbside composting, reducing the city’s trash and helping control rodents. More than 7,000 tons of food waste has been collected since the city began a pilot compost program in 2014.

The City of Cambridge has goals to reduce trash 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. As of 2021, the city has reduced trash by 26% since 2008.

About RAC Members and Terms
The Committee has been active for more than 30 years and consists of at least nine members with an interest in the topics listed above. Members serve a three-year term and are expected to attend most meetings. Meetings are held monthly, except in July and August. 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 meetings, held the second Wednesday of the month (September-June);
• Participate in creating committee direction and implementation of ideas;
• Take a leadership role in projects, such as doing research, organizing, and attending events, and advocacy;
• Work with the Public Works Recycling Division, the Climate Protection Action Committee, and other appropriate city staff to provide feedback on city initiatives;
• Research different approaches to communication, education, and best practices for recycling, composting, reuse, and waste reduction programs;
• Disseminate outreach materials and help educate the community;
• Initiate, plan, attend, and run events to promote recycling, composting, reuse, and waste reduction;
• Participate in at least 2-3 events, such as Danehy Park Family Day, Public Works Week events, Fresh Pond Day, May Fair, block parties.

Helpful Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Marketing
• Outreach and community engagement
•  Article writing for newspapers or blogs to promote recycling
•  Project Management
•  Advocacy for state policies
•  Familiarity with the Cambridge Public Schools

The city is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Meetings
The RAC currently meets virtually on the second Wednesday of the month at 8 a.m.To learn more about the committee’s work, please consider attending an upcoming virtual RAC meeting on December 14 at 8 a.m., via Zoom: https://cambridgema.zoom.us/j/88399786374. Additionally, interested applicants may attend a virtual information session to learn more the city’s waste reduction efforts on Monday, December 5 at 4 p.m., via Zoom: https://cambridgema.zoom.us/j/81687152054.

For more information, contact Michael Orr, Recycling Director, at 617-349-4815 or morr@cambridgema.gov or visit www.CambridgeMA.Gov/Recycle.

How to Apply
Applications can be submitted to the City Manager’s Office using the city’s online application system at www.cambridgema.gov/apply.  A cover letter, resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process.  Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.  The deadline to submit an application is December 19, 2022.