Meet Kristy Medina who is the Chelmsford Recycling Champion for May 2009. Her interest in recycling started with a gum chain she wove when she was a child. She likes to recycle items that are not recycled at the curb, and turn them into useful items. At her home you will see the usual recycling bins, rain barrels and compost bins. But that is just the beginning.
You may know Kristy if your children attend the Center School where five classes save their juice pouches so she can create wonderful lunch boxes, large and small handbags, iPod cases, notebooks, belts and video game holders by sewing the pouches together. So far the classes have saved over 1,000 pouches! The children help make something beautiful out of what would be thrown away. Here is a recycling tip from Kristy: she takes large leaf bags and fills them with scrap paper. When they are full, she puts them out with the recycling. She says the trash workers don’t have a problem fitting them in the truck. Kristy has shared her knowledge by participating in Earth Day, instructing craft classes to Scouts, and teaching a book binding class at the library. This past holiday season she and her family only gave gifts in gift bags and boxes that can be recycled. There was no wrapping paper allowed. She really knows how to reuse and recycle! Kristy has lived in Chelmsford for two years with her husband and two sons. Born in Arkansas, she started to sew in 6th grade. Her Bachelor’s Degree is in Textiles. She is an asset to Chelmsford. The Chelmsford Recycling Committe (CRC) is pleased to recognize Kristy Medina as our Recycling Champion for May 2009, and we hope every resident can make similar efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle. In appreciation for Kristy’s efforts we have provided her a gift certificate donated by Café Madrid 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. Article written by Nancy Kaelin, Chelmsford Recycling Committee |
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Kristy has taken old tee shirts and jeans and turned them into handy bags. She cuts plastic bags into strips and crochets them into very attractive tote bags, knits scrap cloth into wash clothes to replace sponges, turns cardboard boxes into charming books, and makes spectacular small purses out of woven potato chip bag pieces.