Plastic Packaging Recycling Event Announced for April 9

Zero Waste Melrose will help you recycle a range of plastic packaging on Saturday, April 9, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Recycling & Sustainability Day hosted by Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian. The event will be held in the Melrose High School parking lot (Melrose Street entrance).

Items we’ll collect:

• Personal care packaging: All brands of deodorant containers & caps, toothpaste tubes & caps, floss containers, and toothbrushes (remove excess product)
• Razors & packaging: All brands of blades & razors (including disposable units and replaceable-blade cartridge units) and rigid plastic and flexible plastic packaging
• Contact lens packaging: All brands of single-use blister packs, contact lens cases, and contact lens solution caps (no bottles)
• Drink pouches (not juice boxes): All brands, the straw can remain in
• Brita filters, pitchers, and packaging
• Squeeze pouches: All brands of fruit, veggie, and yogurt squeeze pouches. Please include the screw top to keep our collection clean.
• Writing instruments & packaging: All brands of markers, pens, mechanical pencils, highlighters & glue sticks, plus packaging
• NEW COLLECTION for ZWM - Cooking tools: All brands of metal-based cookware, bakeware, & cutlery (metal-based includes nonstick aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron)

ZWM ships these items to TerraCycle, which offers recycling programs funded by manufacturers, retailers, and other companies. The items we collect are not accepted in curbside recycling. The TerraCycle program earns points that benefit the Roosevelt Elementary School.

Here’s the full list of what you can recycle and learn about at the Recycling and Sustainability Day:

• Recycle a dehumidifier (receive a National Grid rebate) and outdated electronics (data erasing provided by Green Team Junk Removal)
• Upcycle gently used furniture, appliances, housewares, and building materials (Habitat for Humanity)
• Upcycle or swap a bicycle (Melrose Pedestrian & Bicyclist Committee)
• Explore volunteer opportunities with local sustainability organizations
• Learn about current state climate resilience and energy legislation
• Get informed about household organic waste solutions with Black Earth Compost