John Donahue has been selected as Chelmsford’s Recycling Champion for April 2009. John is directing the recycling activities for the Donahue/Fraser household at 20 Wildes Road which includes his daughter and son-in-law, and his two grandchildren. By reusing and recycling, this household helps save our town money and reduces environmental impacts. They typically put out just one barrel of trash a week, and more than double that amount of recycling every two weeks. A Chelmsford Recycling Committee (CRC) volunteer stopped in to visit Mr. Donahue and find out how they do it.
John’s household system mirrors the curbside system, with separate kitchen containers for paper, mixed recyclables, and trash within easy reach of his wheelchair. John’s son-in-law or grandchildren grab these containers and empty them into the outdoor 40-gal barrels a few times a week, with paper loaded into paper grocery bags (plastic bags aren’t accepted by our hauler) and placed in bins. Our CRC visitor found the curbside organization to be neat and orderly on opposite sides of the driveway, making it easy for the hauler to tell recyclables from trash. The household also donates reusable materials to Goodwill Industries and St. Vincent de Paul. We asked about kitchen and yard wastes and found that the Donahue/Fraser household has started composting these wastes. Branches are usually disposed by burning outdoors in the spring, as the family does not have a way to transport these to the brush drop-off (note the town has special brush pick-ups this year, and burning season ends April 30, see Town Website for details). Yard waste is banned from the trash by state regulation. Other banned wastes include fluorescent lights, CRTs/TVs, and some automotive wastes. Wastes are banned from the trash either because they are recyclable, or can be toxic if burned, or both. At the time of our visit, John had saved a medical thermometer and a button battery for the mercury waste collection at Town Offices; both these items are banned from trash due to mercury content. Mr. Donahue tries to buy American-made products and has a suggestion for businesses looking to become “greener”: use recyclable packaging! Styrofoam is not recyclable in Chelmsford or most other towns yet it seems to be used for many products, especially take-out restaurants. The CRC is pleased to recognize John Donahue as our Recycling Champion for April 2009, and we hope every resident can make similar efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle. All our efforts together will save the town money and improve the environment! In appreciation for John’s efforts we have provided him a gift certificate donated by Fish Bones restaurant. Do You Know a Recycling Champion? The CRC is accepting nominations for Recycling Champions and will interview nominees to evaluate their skills. Each month the CRC will publish a new Champion's recycling story and tips. To nominate please send the name, address, and a few words about your nominee's recycling prowess to: recyclingchampion@comcast.net. |
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John has lived in town since 1971 and has participated in recycling since it became available to residents in the 1980s. The current curbside collection program allows residents to recycle glass, metal, plastic, and paper. The first three materials can be mixed at curbside and the paper must be segregated.