Harrisville
Harrisville, NH is one of the towns participating in the Ten Towns • Ten Actions Campaign
They have a team of volunteers working to spread the word and help people reduce plastic. While waiting until the products they need and use no longer come wrapped in plastic, here are options in their area:
- Styrofoam or Polystyrene Collection
Harrisville collected styrofoam/polystyrene for 3 months as a test project from 4-15-22 thru 7-15-22.
Eligible Styrofoam: Bulk Packing block (often surround electronics), insulation panels, foam coolers, and packing peanuts
Ineligible Styrofoam: to-go food containers, cups, and anything not clean, dry and white.
In the meantime, the Harrisville group will be researching the most efficient and eco-friendly way to move what they collect to a processing facility
- Plastic and Film Collection
The NexTrex program uses plastic collected so that its company ‘Trex’ can build composite decking and benches.
The NexTrex program currently exists at 4 nearby major grocery chains (Hannaford's, Market Basket, Shaws, and Price Chopper) in Keene/Peterborough, plus 2 collection points for the town of Marlborough
Harrisville hopes to begin collecting by June 1. If the town collects 500 pounds in 6 months, they can earn a bench for the town.
At this time they are still working on determining the best collection point(s).
You can recycle much more than plastic shopping bags. For whatever reason, the grocery stores have not advertised that fact.
Click for lists of eligible and ineligible items and local drop off points:
Some posters from NexTrex that illustrate what can be collected: (https://recycle.trex.com/view/educate )
You can drop off any eligible plastic at the local drop off points – or save it for Harrisville when they start collecting in June.
TerraCycle Program with Subaru
At Subaru of Keene, there are only 2 bins which accept (for free):
Snack/candy wrappers (cleaned + dried)
K-cup coffee pods (Cleaned – no grounds)
Creamer capsules (cleaned)
NOTE 1: I was not able to determine why Subaru of Keene did not offer the bin for coffee and drink cups, lids and straws
NOTE 2: There probably are bins at Subaru of Brattleboro as well, but it appears they only recycle K-cups.
https://www.subaruofnewengland.com/lovepromise/subaru-loves-the-earth.htm
These have nothing to do with plastic – but involve recycling:
Starbucks Grounds for your Garden Compost
At Starbucks on West St, you can get coffee grounds for your garden or compost for free
You can choose to bring a container for them to fill, or you can request a bag full – they reuse the silver bags the beans come in, which are NOT compostable
https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-coffee-grounds-for-the-garden/
Staples Battery Recycling for free
This applies only to RE-CHARGABLE batteries that no longer hold a charge
https://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/noheader/sustainability-center/recycling-services/batteries
You can drop them off at the local staples in Keene
Collected batteries are recycled into new batteries and devices
Ecosmith Textile and Shoe Recyclers
https://ecosmithrecyclers.com/ - Based in New Boston, NH
Bins are Bright Butter Yellow w/Colorful images – One location is by Achille Agway in Keene
All items donated that can still be worn are sold with that goal in mind. Attempts are made to repair damaged items.
If unrepairable, recycled into: wiping cloths, insulation, playground surfaces.
NOTE: In April 2022 - Ecosmith held a clothing/shoe drive at their property on 11 Byam Rd., New Boston, NH to raise funds for Ukraine.
https://www.facebook.com/EcosmithRecyclers/photos/a.206333792740596/7486642678042968/?type=3
For more information – here are websites for the overall organization and our Harrisville team
https://www.facebook.com/HarrisvilleTenTen/
Please share this information with your assorted networks. Contact Mary Armstrong if you would like to join the Harrisville team.