Count Down to Zero Waste Day

The Swampscott Recycling Task Force is pleased to announce the second annual Zero Waste Day to be held on Saturday, April 20. This event will provide residents an opportunity to clean out, exchange, donate and recycle many unwanted, yet useful, items. Zero Waste Day will take place at the Swampscott High School parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon.

There will be a free ‘drop and swap’ for books, Cd's, DVDs, records and sports equipment. In addition, Goodwill Industries will be on hand with a trailer truck to collect donations of clothing, household goods, and working electronics.

Items containing mercury will be collected, including thermometers, switches, thermostats, rechargeable and button batteries. 

Eyeglasses can be donated for those in need. Blue recycle bins will be on sale for $7.

The Annual Rail Trail Bike Sale will be held in conjunction with Zero Waste Day. Used bikes, scooters, bike carriers, roller blades, and wind boards will be for sale with proceeds to benefit the Rail Trail project. Donations can be dropped off at the parking lot beginning at 9 a.m.

By announcing this event early, the Recycling Task Force hopes to give everyone plenty of time to clean out their closets, basements and garages and help divert useful items from the waste stream.

Due to the high cost of disposal and safety regulations, there are some items that Goodwill is unable to accept, including: any item in need of repair or missing parts, stuffed animals, toys, baby furnishings and car seats, furniture needing reupholstering, mattresses, sofa beds, large appliances, large office furniture, area rugs, gas powered garden tools, exercise equipment, skis, fish tanks, hazardous materials, computer monitors, printers, old TVs with cathode ray tubes, and auto parts and construction materials. Things should be dry and free of mildew.

Mercury items to be dropped off should be sealed in a ziplock bag for safety. No CFL bulbs or shop light bulbs will be collected at this event. These bulbs contain mercury and require special handling. They can be brought to the Swampscott Health Department or a local hardware store for proper disposal.

Car batteries will not be accepted yet can be recycled at most automotive supply stores. No skis or exercise machines will be taken at the sports equipment swap table.

In addition to the offerings at Zero Waste Day, North Shore Recycled Fibers, 53 Jefferson Ave., Salem is open on Saturdays and provides free confidential shredding for sensitive documents, a drop-off center for recyclables including plastic bags, and collection for bulky rigid plastics. For shredding services, park next to the double green doors, bring material inside and ring the bell. The rigid plastic dumpster is located just inside the rear gate. It’s large and red and can’t be missed. Bulky rigid plastic includes children’s play equipment, flower pots, toys, storage totes, trash barrels, laundry baskets, milk crates, patio furniture, etc. Saturday hours are 7 to 11 a.m. and weekdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mark your calendars - Zero Waste Day on April 20!

For assistance with a donation, bike or otherwise, call 781-738-3898 to arrange for a pick-up. Volunteers are welcome, contact swampscottrecycles@gmail.com for more information. This is a 'rain or shine' event.