Reduce/Reuse/Recycle Food Scraps & Composting Hazardous Waste

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Photo of recycling cycle

Ideas for Reducing Waste

RECYCLE

All towns in Franklin County collect paper and containers separately for recycling. This is called "dual stream" recycling. For information on what can and can't be recycled, check out our Recycling Page. All recyclable material is delivered to the Springfield Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). This site has color images and printable documents for recycling in different rooms of your home. Visit the Springfield MRF site.

REDUCE
  • Buy in bulk: Large "family size" containers require less packaging per pound than small "single serving" packages. In addition to conserving resources, buying in bulk will also generally save you money!
  • Look for items with little or no packaging: Many items come in a variety of packaging styles. Choose unpackaged items and concentrates whenever possible.
  • Buy durable products: You may spend a little more to purchase good quality products, but you won't need to replace them as often.
REUSE
  • Buy reusable products. Disposable products generate more waste than reusable products. Disposables often cost more in the long run! Look for reusable razors, lunch bags, cloth napkins and towels, rechargeable batteries, and reusable water bottles.
  • Reuse containers: Rinsed out glass and plastic containers make great storage containers for leftovers, hardware, etc.
  • Reuse bags: Whether cloth, plastic, or paper, reuse grocery bags when you shop. Try keeping a stash in your car so you will always be prepared.
  • Give away or obtain stuff for free:
    • The Reuse Marketplace is a free regional network to find, sell, trade, or give away reusable and surplus items that would otherwise be disposed as trash. Businesses, institutions, governments, and organizations in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont are eligible to create accounts and to post listings. Anyone is welcome to search or browse the posted items.
    • The Freecycle Network is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Freecycling, an internet-based exchange, is open to all who want to "recycle" that special something rather than throw it away. Whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano or an old door, feel free to post it... or to look for it! Everything posted must be free.
    • You can list items you're willing to give away for free on craigslist Western Mass free stuff.
  • Donate reusable household items: Reuse can mean reusing materials such as containers and bags for another purpose. It can also mean donating usable goods such as clothing, furniture, and other household items. Many non-profit organizations, such as the Salvation Army, have been accepting household items and clothing for years. This helps us to reduce the amount of trash being thrown out. There are many local charitable organizations in our area that help people going through a transition. If you have something that is still usable, you may be able to help someone in this area by calling one of the organizations listed below and asking if they can match you up with someone that may need the item. Please consider if the item is in good enough shape to be reused. Junk and broken items do not qualify for donations. The following is a list of local charitable organizations:
  • Salvation Army Thrift Store (413) 773-3649
  • Athol/Orange Family Inn (978) 544-8245
  • Greenfield Family Inn (413) 774-6382
  • Survival Center (413) 863-9549
  • Brick House (413) 863-9576
  • Donate and purchase reusable building materials: The reuse of construction and home improvement materials is an excellent way to keep good quality, usable items from being disposed in a landfill or incinerator. It also helps to conserve our natural resources by reducing the amount of building products being produced from raw materials. Construction and demolition materials such as doors, windows, cabinets, and plumbing fixtures are great candidates for reuse.

BUY RECYCLED

  • Buy products or packages made from recycled materials. Recycled paper products include toilet tissue, paper towels, and writing paper. Some products are packaged in containers made with recycled content. Purchasing recycled content products helps support the recycling industry by providing a demand for the materials we place in our recycling bins.
  • Buy recyclable packaging. Many products are offered in a variety of packaging styles. Packaging made from multiple materials are not recyclable. Whenever possible, choose packaging made from a single type of material that is accepted for recycling.