No Waste Of Time During Salem Sustainability Weekend

SALEM, MA — Salem State University and the city are teaming up for a series of "Zero Waste" events this weekend to help students, residents and citizens reduce or eliminate their environmental impact.

"We are thrilled to host the first-ever Zero Waste Event in our community," said Janelle Rolke, Waste Reduction Coordinator for the city of Salem. "This event serves as a testament to our collective dedication to sustainability and highlights the positive impact that individuals and communities can have on the environment through conscious decision-making and collaboration."

The events will be held Friday through Sunday and are designed to underscore "the community's unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and collaboration to build a more sustainable future."

"Ensuring a clean and vibrant community takes meaningful action from all of us," Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. "Here in Salem, we're dedicated to the work of sustainability and livability. I'm grateful to the city staff, volunteers, and our partners at Salem State University as we continue to advance efforts for a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient community for all.

"I encourage all in Salem community members to consider how to reduce waste, and to participate in these events to work toward that shared goal."

On Friday, Salem State will host a free Zero Waste Swap from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Ellison Campus Center Alumni Plaza. The rain location is the ECC Martin Luther King Jr. room. Those participating are invited to drop off and pick up used items rather than have them go to a landfill. Shop the Swap for clothes, shoes, books, office supplies, dorm décor and small dorm room items.

This event is open to the general public.

Salem Public Schools will host a series of events on Friday that are not open to the general public.

On Saturday, there will be an E-Waste Recycling Drive from 8 a.m. to noon at Salem High School on Willson Street. Some fees may apply.

There will also be free document shredding at the Horace Mann Laboratory School at 79 Willson Street from 8 a.m. to noon. Shredding is for paper documents only.

There will be a free book swap and TerraCycle Collection at the Community Life Center at 401 Bridge Steet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On Sunday, there will be a park cleanup at Gallows Hills Park. The public is invited to register to attend here for the pickup from 10 a.m. to noon.

All members of the community are encouraged to attend and participate.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)