Newton Recycling Program 1974-1995 (bulk 1975-1983).
(Mixed Material)

Restrictions apply. Contact the library's Reference Department in advance for details.

Collection consists of a scrapbook for 1971-1978, realia (badges, bumper stickers), annual reports, statistics, newspaper articles, posters, newsletters, monthly reports, financial papers, studies, publicity brochures, flyers, press releases, maps of Newton trash and recycling collection routes, list of recycling routes, surveys, transparencies, photographs, minutes, 1972-1979 and 1986-1998, by-laws, correspondence, speeches, membership lists, contracts, grants, booklets, Recovering the Past: A Handbook of Community Recycling Programs, 1890-1945 by Suellen M. Hoy and Michael C. Robinson; Newton Green Pages edited by Ann Dorfman.

Newton Free Library (330 Homer St., Newton, MA 02459), Special Collections.

Newton Recycling Program. Special Collections, Newton Free Library, Newton, MA.

Gift;,Betsy Singer Lewenberg;,2008.

In 1971 the Newton, Massachusetts Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance setting up a voluntary recycling program in the City after a feasibility study had been started by aldermanic subcommittee and concerned citizens including the League of Women Voters of Newton. The Mayor's Advisory Committee on Recycling was then created. Curbside collection of recyclables and a recycling depot were set up by 1972 to handle glass, cans and newspapers. The League of Women Voters of Newton received a grant to publicize recycling in 1976 and another grant to prepare recycling "How to..." materials in 1980. The committee continued outreach into public schools and scout troops, regular columns and feature articles in local newspapers, contests, and award ceremonies to promote recycling. Aldermen passed an ordinance in 1981 making it illegal to throw away recyclables in the trash, and in 1983 the Massachusetts Beverage Container Law (M.G.L. C94, S.321-327) took effect mandating a refundable deposit on certain beverage containers. Newton's recycling program continued to expand to include yard waste for composting in 1986 and plastics in 1990. In 1995 Newton launched a campaign to recycle 50% of its waste by the year 2000. The recycling rate had gone from 2% in 1972 to 44% in 1996. The items in this collection are from the committees involved in the diffusion of information to the community and the implementation of policies decided on by the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Recycling.

No finding aid available.