Whether you use the Transfer Station or not 

Recycling & Taxes, a combination which only sounds strange at first.

In March, the Town received a check for over $3,500 for materials recycled over the past 6 months (so say around $7,000 per year).  This money comes from Alternative Recycling’s recyclables as well as the Station’s; and, it all goes to the Town coffers.  There are only about 640 households in Leverett.  Want to pay less taxes?  Recycling and composting can help.  Compost bins, some recycling bins, and a lot of information, are available to all Leverett residents. 

Composters and Recycling Bins

Three different size composters, are available.  The composters range in size from 18 cubic feet to a cubic yard, and cost from $20 to $35.  While the supply lasts, a free, dish-washer-safe, kitchen-compost-bucket (worth $6) will be given to all who buy composters.  Although we are happy to sell these, best results will be obtained by following instructions and composting regularly.  Instructions about composting can be found at:    compost.css.cornell.edu/Composting_Homepage.html and are included in the product literature.  We also  have some recycling bins (sometimes called set-out containers).  These are free to all.  The only condition is, since the supply is limited, we ask you take only one per household.  The composters will be made available to all Town residents at the Station on Saturdays and Sundays, form 10:30 until 11:30, from April 1 until April 30 (Station closed April 8).  The recycling bins are available, while supplies last, at either the Town Hall or Station. 

For more about Recycling

The Town’s website contains a text called “The 25 most frequently asked questions.” it’s a good place to learn more.  To get there, go to: townhall.leverett.ma.us  then to: frequently asked questions; then, “How do I get my recycling questions answered” 

Healthy Lawn & Landscape Workshop

DEP and the Station/Town will be hosting a “Healthy Lawn & Landscape Workshop” at the Town Hall on Wednesday, May 9, from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M.  Topics include: Health Effects of Pesticides, How to Create Healthy Soil...., Simple Steps to Healthy Lawns, Alternatives to Lawns (flowers, shrubs......), *Alternatives to pesticides and fertilizers* and, additional helpful resources.  All are invited, including friends from neighboring towns.  It’s free but registration is required. 

The above “Topics include” pretty much covers available information about the workshop.  Flyers will be posted around Town.  If you would like to attend, please e-mail rcsenergy@rcn.com.  If phone is the only means of communication available, please do not call (367-9683) between 5:30 and 7:30 P.M. 

Household Hazardous Waste Day

Amherst will be holding its HHW day Saturday, April 21, from 9:00 a.m. until noon at the Amherst Transfer Station (formally the Amherst Landfill) on Rt. 9, Belchertown Rd, Amherst.  For Station users, do not bring things we already accept, like: paint related products, used motor oil, mercury bearing waste (fluorescent lamps, thermostats, thermometers, mercury switches) and batteries of all types.  At HHW, day disposal of paint related products will cost $2 per gallon.  Explosives and medical wastes must be cleared through both towns.  Preregistration is required.  If interested, call 259-3050 (extension 0).  The next HHW day is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007. 

Post disposal computer security

If you have “sensitive” information on a computer you are about to get rid of, you may want to do more than simply re-format the hard drive.  Some software products for this can be purchased on the web, namely: Dban, KillDisk, Eraser 5.7, Eraser Pro for Macs, and Symantec’s Ghost’s gdisk.   Any such program should comply with DoD 5220.22-M disk overwriting standard (requires that every addressable location be overwritten by a single character).  Reportedly, slamming the hard drive with a sledgehammer won’t prevent data stripping by a determined thief. 

For those who just have to hear it

The Acting Director of DEP, Arleen O’Donnell, said “Leverett has the highest recycling rate in the State” (actually that’s probably been the case for years).  In 2005, DEP started to use disposal figures for all town residents in its recycling-rate-by-town calculations (the above is based on 2005 data).  In Leverett’s case, this now includes Hauler and Station tonnages.  In terms of recyclables alone, the Station stands at 50%, and Hauler at 32%.  Comparatively, State-wide, 32% is not a bad recycling rate.  (Springfield’s is 16%, but in all fairness, they face every imaginable challenge; while Leverett has almost every advantage).  Congratulations to all those who made an effort to recycle and compost!  Everyone’s contribution helped. 

Station News 

Large Items (major appliances, construction related materials etc.)

These will be accepted starting the second weekend in April; and, as in previous years, most items will cost $1 per 10 pounds.  All items (regardless of size) with refrigerant, will have an additional $7.50 fee to cover Freon removal.  Freon catalyzes the breakdown of molecules in the sky that deflect harmful radiation; please take this seriously. 

Something new

There will be fixed fees for upholstered furniture: chair $15; love seat $20; regular couch $25; fold-out couch (sleeper) $30.  A $5 discount will be applied to chairs and love-seats; and, a $10 discount for couches, if they arrive already broken-down (frame broken and separated into pieces, fabric and cushions removed). 

Easter Sunday: April 8 (Easter Sunday), the Station will be closed. 

Summer (warm weather) Hours:

The Station will open ½ hour earlier (9:30) from Saturday June 2nd until Sunday September 2.  The Station will be open Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm from June 6 until August 29.  Recyclables, trash and  toxins (paint, mercury bearing waste, used motor etc.) only.  Please do not bring large items or construction materials on Wednesdays. 

Car Permit Stickers

Stickers are valid for a single fiscal year (July through June).  The current stickers are green with white characters, and expire on June 30, 2007.  The 2007-2008 stickers should be on sale starting June 2, at either the Station or Town Hall.  The first sticker costs $25; a sticker for a second vehicle is $3.  Stickers should be affixed to either the passenger side front bumper, or back of the rear view mirror. 

The Vandals are Here

Please report the license plate numbers of any vehicles parked in the area outside the Station gate during non-operating hours to the Town Police (548-4994).  In particular, a green Chevy, plate number 60PK10.  Those using this plate were seen taking boards off buildings.  The out-of-towers also, reportedly, take clothes and TILI items to sell them.  Police Chief Billings has notified the vehicle’s owner, via registered mail, criminal trespassing charges and finds may result if they are seen there again. 

For those who just have to hear it - continued

In addition to the above: What is more remarkable/impressive/exciting(?) is that 2006 was the third year in a row the Station shipped as much recyclable tonnage as trash.  I (nor anyone else I’ve spoken with) have ever heard of such a thing.  To put this in perspective, an overall diversion rate in the mid-thirties is considered comparatively good; the Town is shipping 1 1/3rd that in recyclables alone.  The Station’s stand-alone diversion rate is a whopping 66% (for every 100 pounds of stuff brought in, 66 pounds are recovered).

Many parties contributed, form the Town Hall to the Highway Department and Elementary School, from the Springfield MRF to the Town of Amherst and U.Mass; there are others as well.  But clearly, the lion’s share of credit goes to those who cared enough to take the time to recycle.  Congratulations to all who made this extraordinary achievement possible; you have shown what can be done! (Three years in a row!!)