3 R Tips from Wellesley F. .R. Inc.

1.

Sorting by citizens is the foundation of the successful recycling program at the Wellesley RDF. Please check the signage to
make sure you have the correct material in the correct bin. Even a small amount of contamination of the incorrect material
can reduce the value of a large container of material. Sorting saves dollars and contamination costs dollars.

2.

Start your recycling program with newspapers. Newspapers provide the biggest cost avoidance benefit at the RDF. We not
on only save over $50 a ton to truck them but people actually pay us to take them away. Then move on to cardboard, glass
etc. Continue to add an extra item until you are recycling all of the items possible!

3.

Reduction of waste should be the first priority. Buy household cleaners in large containers and refill the smaller containers
with the pump squirt device or other applicator. It will cost less and reduce unnecessary packaging. On the other hand buy
the smallest can of paint that will do the job so there will not be much paint remaining to dispose.

4.

Be careful to separate all of the items that can be separated. For example, a stereo box should be separated into the
cardboard container (please flatten). The plastic that covers the stereo or held it in place goes in the plastic bin. Any extra
paper other than the owner's manual goes in the paper bin. Many products come with a similar mix of items to be
separated from one original package.

5.

One good way for a family to improve their recycling program is to choose a captain of recycling. This person can take
stock of how to make recycling easy in the home. This person must be careful not to offend other members of the
household with their zeal for recycling. Some delegation might be in order. For example, someone may be in charge of
coordinating recycling efforts for yard waste, another may have the responsibility for newspapers and cardboard and yet
another for all other materials such as glass cans, plastic, etc.

6.

Many people are used to separating their returnable bottles and cans. If you want to leave them at the RDF the town gets
the $.05 and an additional $.03 for the handling. Newspaper is the leader in cost avoidance savings at the RDF. The town
makes the most on a per pound basis for returnables. All of these add up to enormous savings for the towns taxpayers.

7.

Separating is a big part of recycling in Wellesley. There are containers made just for the job or even better, reuse another
container to separate your recyclables. I have found that 25lb or 50lb dog food bags make excellent storage containers for
bottles and cans prior to taking them to the RDF. If you dont have an opportunity to reuse dog food containers there are
many other products that come in cardboard, fancy shopping bags,etc that will work well in your home recycling program.

8.

The RDF doesnt care if the recycled cans and bottles are dirty but it may be difficult to store the dirty cans and bottles for
any length of time. One idea is to simply put the caps back on the bottles until your trip to the RDF and then remove the
lids when you put the bottles in the bins. It is very important to remove the caps from the bottles. Other people find that
rinsing the containers is a good approach. Some people put cat food cans in dishwashers to clean them for longer storage.

9.

The Friends of Recycling have a number of ideas on how to improve recycling. Separation saves dollars for the town.
Contamination costs dollars for the town. Some things just cannot be recycled - such as, plate glass and wax paper. We
welcome ideas from any one reading this column. Send any ideas you may have to F.O.R., 49 Shore Road, Wellesley,
02181.

10. Cardboard when crushed can be stored in smaller spaces. It also helps the handlers at the RDF if the cardboard has been
flattened before you dispose of it. By storing the cardboard containers for a few weeks, notice what is purchased. If you
notice you purchase many small containers of the same product try buying one large container. You will save money and
reduce the extra packaging.
11. The Take and Leave section of the RDF is a perfect example of reuse. Bring items that need a little repair or have good
parts on them. Many people like to tinker with lawnmowers or old televisions, for example. When people take these items
from the RDF it saves the town from extra handling and payment for trucking. There are some great finds at the Take and
Leave. Try to reuse things whenever possible. It is a step up from recycling.
12. Try to figure out what percentage of material you recycle by both weight and mass. That is easier to tell if you make fewer
trips and amass more in between trips to the RDF. Many members of the Friends of Recycling are able to recycle 70% by
mass and 85% by weight. At the same time all of us feel there is always room to do more. Guess what you are achieving
then try to measure it.
13. As the spring season approaches, dont forget to reuse some of the compost and wood chips available at the RDF. For $1
you can fill up a large barrel of compost or wood chips. For a very low cost you can have a truckload of mulch or wood
chips delivered to your yard by the Wellesley DPW. Call the DPW at 235-7600 for information on quality, pricing and
delivery.

14. The advanced recycler can have great fun with the numerous bins at the RDF. There are bins for newspapers, green, brown
and clear glass. You can put corrugated cardboard in one bin and magazines in another with mixed papers in another. Tin
foil and aluminum cans go in separate containers. Steel cans with a magnet by it to test is another separate bin. Notice the
signage at the RDF that will help give you more ideas on more things you can recycle.
15. Occasionally check the swap bulletin board next to the Book Swap. Here you are encouraged to swap old paint, old
fencing, old windows, or anything else. Often these items will be useful to someone else and they might be willing to come
pick them up and save you a trip to the Take and Leave! I bet there is no one who likes to read who can spend 10
minutes at the Book Swap and not walk away with a new old book youll enjoy.
16. Try to make recycling easy for you and your family. Different people take different approaches. Some of us find that it is
easier to make fewer trips, separate as we go and only visit the RDF once every few months. Others choose to make their
contributions to the RDF on a more regular basis. For the frequent visitor maybe one box full of recyclables can be
separated at the RDF. Find an approach that works for you and make it a habit.
17. With the advent of the summer, consider ways to reduce your yard waste. If you need a new lawn mower, buy a mulching
style. It is a lot less trouble than bagging and disposing of the clippings. Some on the other hand prefer to use the
clippings to make rich compost. There are many ways to compost. There are currently containers of many styles available
for purchase or you can always use the middle of the garden turn with the spade approach.
18. It is now illegal to bring tires to a landfill. If Wellesley takes a load of trash to Plainville and even one tire is included they
are fined either $5 per car tire and $10 per truck tire or the entire load can be refused. Tires brought to the RDF are
collected but at this time there is no market to resell them without first shredding them. Turn in your old tires to your tire
retailer. You may incur a small fee but the ultimate cost of taking tires to the RDF will be much greater.
19. 20. Excluding returnable cans or bottles for which the RDF receives over $.07 per, the RDF makes the most per pound
recycling copper tubing. Bring your old metal of all types to the metal container across from the Take and Leave." The
metal bin is also near the compost and wood chips you can purchase for only $1 a barrel.
20. Occasionally, the DPW inserts a brochure Recycling in Wellesley in with the utility bills. This excellent 4 page piece tells
you what can be recycled at the RDF. If you would like a copy, please stop by or call the DPW. The key to making
recycling work in your household is to find ways to make it easier. You may need to change some habits at first but soon
you will find it quite easy to recycle a wide range of materials.
21. One good way for a family to improve their recycling program is to choose a captain of recycling. This person can take
stock of how to make recycling easy in the home. This person must be careful not to offend other members of the
household with their zeal for recycling. Some delegation might be in order. For example, someone may be in charge of
coordinating recycling efforts for yard waste, another may have the responsibility for newspapers and cardboard and yet
another for all other materials such as glass cans, plastic, etc.
22. Many people are used to separating their returnable bottles and cans. If you want to leave them at the RDF the town gets
the $.05 and an additional $.03 for the handling. Newspaper is the leader in cost avoidance savings at the RDF. The town
makes the most on a per pound basis for returnable bottles and cans. All of these add up to enormous savings for the
towns taxpayers.
23. Separating is a big part of recycling in Wellesley. There are containers made just for the job or even better, reuse another
container to separate your recyclables. I have found that 25lb or 50lb dog food bags make excellent storage containers for
bottles and cans prior to taking them to the RDF. If you dont have an opportunity to reuse dog food containers there are
many other products that come in cardboard, fancy shopping bags,etc that will work well in your home recycling program.
24. The RDF doesnt care if the recycled cans and bottles are dirty but it may be difficult to store the dirty cans and bottles for
any length of time. One idea is to simply put the caps back on the bottles until your trip to the RDF and then remove the
lids when you put the bottles in the bins. It is very important to remove the caps from the bottles. Other people find that
rinsing the containers is a good approach. Some people put cat food cans in dishwashers to clean them for longer storage.

25. The Friends of Recycling have a number of ideas on how to improve recycling. Separation saves dollars for the town.
Contamination costs dollars for the town. Some things just cannot be recycled - such as, plate glass and wax paper. We
welcome ideas from any one reading this column. Send any ideas you may have to F.O.R., 49 Shore Road, Wellesley,
02181.
26. Cardboard when crushed can be stored in smaller spaces. It also helps the handlers at the RDF if the cardboard has been
flattened before you dispose of it. By storing the cardboard containers for a few weeks, notice what is purchased. If you

notice you purchase many small containers of the same product try buying one large container. You will save money and
reduce the extra packaging.
27. The Take and Leave section of the RDF is a perfect example of reuse. Bring items that need a little repair or have good
parts on them. Many people like to tinker with lawnmowers or old televisions, for example. When people take these items
from the RDF it saves the town from extra handling and payment for trucking, and also landfill charges. There are some
great finds at the Take and Leave. Try to reuse things whenever possible. It is a step up from recycling.
28. Try to figure out what percentage of material you recycle by both weight and mass. That is easier to tell if you make fewer
trips and amass more in between trips to the RDF. Many members of the Friends of Recycling are able to recycle 70% by
mass and 85% by weight. At the same time all of us feel there is always room to do more. Guess what you are achieving
then try to measure it.
29. As the spring season approaches, dont forget to reuse some of the compost and wood chips available at the RDF. For $1
you can fill up a large barrel of compost or wood chips. For a very low cost you can have a truckload of mulch or wood
chips delivered to your yard by the Wellesley DPW. Call the DPW at 235-7600, ext. 342 for information on quality, pricing
and delivery.
30. The advanced recycler can have great fun with the numerous bins at the RDF. There are bins for newspapers, green, brown
and clear glass. You can put corrugated cardboard in one bin and magazines in another with mixed papers in another.
Aluminum foil and aluminum cans go in separate containers. Steel cans, with a magnet by it to test, is another separate
bin. Notice the signage at the RDF that will help give you more ideas on more items you can recycle.
31. Occasionally check the swap bulletin board next to the Book Swap. Here you are encouraged to swap old paint, old
fencing, old windows, or anything else. Often these items will be useful to someone else and they might be willing to come
pick them up and save you a trip to the Take and Leave! I bet there is no one who likes to read who can spend 10
minutes at the Book Swap and not walk away with a new old book youll enjoy.
32. Try to make recycling easy for you and your family. Different people take different approaches. Some of us find that it is
easier to make fewer trips, separate as we go and only visit the RDF once every few months. Others choose to make their
contributions to the RDF on a more regular basis. For the frequent visitor maybe one box full of recyclables can be
separated at the RDF. Find an approach that works for you and make it a habit. Remember-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
33. With the advent of the summer, consider ways to reduce your yard waste. If you need a new lawn mower, buy a mulching
style. It is a lot less trouble than bagging and disposing of the clippings. Some people, on the other hand, prefer to use the
clippings to make rich compost. There are many ways to compost. There are currently containers of many styles available
for purchase or you can always use the middle of the garden and use the turn with the spade approach.
34. It is now illegal to bring tires to a landfill. If Wellesley takes a load of trash to Plainville and even one tire is included they
are fined either $5 per car tire and $10 per truck tire or the entire load can be refused. Tires brought to the RDF are
collected but at this time there is no market to resell them without first shredding them. Turn in your old tires to your tire
retailer. You may incur a small fee but the ultimate cost of taking tires to the RDF is much greater.
35. 21. Excluding returnable cans or bottles for which the RDF receives over $.07 per container, the RDF makes the most per
pound recycling copper tubing. Bring your old metal of all types to the metal container across from the Take and Leave."
There is also another metal bin for cast iron located near the compost and wood chips area. You may purchase compost and
wood chips for $1.00 per barrel.
36. Occasionally, the DPW inserts a brochure Recycling in Wellesley in with the utility bills. This excellent 4 page piece tells
you what can be recycled at the RDF. If you would like a copy, please stop by or call the DPW. The key to making
recycling work in your household is to find ways to make it easier. You may need to change some habits at first but soon
you will find it quite easy to recycle a wide range of materials.

37. One should use their own discretion about calling an attendant over to fish out a contaminating article thrown mistakenly
in the wrong bin. If it is a large item it may be worth calling an attendant. It is possible for Wellesleys customer who is
buying our recycled products to reject a load due to contamination. Please remember dumpster diving is dangerous and
disallowed!
38. Advanced recycling tip: Watch out for multimaterial items. For example some pet food containers have a plastic insert in
the aluminum and some peanut containers are cardboard and metal. These items should not be recycled since they will
contaminate the load Wellesley sells to its customer. Try to find competitive products that are packaged of one material that
can be recycled.

39. Metal should be placed in the bin marked for metal. RDF employees will sort some of the metal for sale to various recycle
product customers. Please do not throw old coat hangers or other metal in the trash compactors. Mixed material products
should be put in the compactors unless they are too large. Large items should go in the bulky waste bin.
40. Please return plastic bags to supermarkets. It is unclear whether they recycle these bags but the RDF does not take plastic
bags. The reason that the RDF does not take these bags is that a substantial percentage of them are formulated with a
mixture of materials including metal and string. It is just not worth the risk of contamination to try to sort the 1s &2s
from the others.
41. Keep recycling! The negative press that has suggested that communities are not saving dollars by recycling is true in some
communities but Wellesley still saves well over $200,000 per year for the town since its recycling program is so advanced.
Those savings will increase substantially when the new baler starts functioning.
42. Contamination costs dollars for the town. Some things just cannot be recycled - such as, plate glass and wax paper. We
welcome ideas from any one reading this column. Send any ideas you may have to F.O.R., 49 Shore Road, Wellesley,
02482.
43. The newly named Give and Take section of the RDF is a perfect example of reuse. Bring items that need a little repair or
have good parts on them. When people take these items from the RDF it saves the town from extra handling and payment
for trucking, and also landfill charges. There are some great finds and a new policy discourages the professionals. Try
to reuse things whenever possible. It is a step up from recycling.
44. Worcester recently claimed to achieve 51% recycling. That is higher than Wellesley. Try to figure out what percentage of
material you recycle by both weight and mass. That is easier to tell if you make fewer trips and amass more in between
trips to the RDF. Many members of the Friends of Recycling are able to recycle 70% by mass and 85% by weight. At the
same time all of us feel there is always room to do more. Guess what you are achieving then try to measure it.
45. As the spring season approaches, dont forget to reuse some of the compost and wood chips available at the RDF. For $1
you can fill up a large barrel of compost or wood chips. For a very low cost you can have a truckload of mulch or wood
chips delivered to your yard by the Wellesley DPW. Call the DPW at 235-7600, ext. 342 for information on quality, pricing
and delivery.
46. Notice the new signage at the RDF. They will help give you ideas on other items you can recycle. Note also the sponsors
who have provided funding for the signs for some subtle and tasteful advertising. Hopefully these environmentally
conscious companies will be remembered.
47. Try to make recycling easy for you and your family. Some of us find that it is easier to make fewer trips, separate as we go
and only visit the RDF once every few months. Others choose to make their contributions to the RDF on a more regular
basis. For the frequent visitor maybe one box full of recyclables can be separated at the RDF. Find an approach that works
for you and make it a habit. Remember-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Send comments to Frank Hays, Chairman, Wellesley Friends of Recycling, Inc. 49 Shore Rd. 02482 - jtec@tiac.com