Good Morning Gloucester

Progress is being made at the new location for the Gloucester Vietnam War Memorial and I think it’s going to be stunning. Previously located at the high school, the memorial was recently relocated to Stage Fort Park near the tennis courts. Work picked up again recently with new sidewalks and other progress. I haven’t heard an expected completion date, but it appears the area is going to allow for appropriate reflection and remembrance.

If 100 people lived on Earth…
Amazing analysis. pic.twitter.com/q8j4SeEDLt

— The Figen (@TheFigen_) October 25, 2022

Snug Harbor…

Mayor Greg Verga and the City of Gloucester wish to share information on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) new waste ban regulations, which take effect next month.

MassDEP’s 2030 Solid Waste Master Plan established an objective to reduce disposal statewide by 30 percent over the next decade. In an effort to reach this goal, MassDEP has established new rules requiring that mattresses and textiles be kept out of the trash so they can be recycled or donated for reuse, effective Tuesday, Nov. 1.

According to MassDEP, approximately 300,000 mattresses and box springs are disposed of yearly in the state. About 85% of this mattress material can be recycled. Approximately 23,000 tons of textiles are disposed of each year. About 95% of this material can be reused or repurposed.

Community members are reminded that mattresses and textiles cannot be recycled through household recycling bins. They must be given to organizations that specialize in reselling them second-hand or repurposing them for other uses. Additionally, as a result of the ban, Republic Services will no longer be able to collect mattresses during regular curbside pickup as of Nov. 1, 2022.

Ways to Recycle Mattresses and Box Springs

Clean mattresses and box springs must be recycled or donated for reuse.

• The City has hired Raw Materials Recovery Corp. to properly dispose of unwanted mattresses and box springs. Residents may purchase a $40 sticker and disposal bag at the Department of Public Works, 28 Poplar St. Bagged mattresses and box springs should be left outside homes on Thursday mornings for curbside collection.
• Residents purchasing new mattresses and box springs are encouraged to ask the company they are purchasing from if they will take their old mattresses and box springs.
• Residents may search MassDEP’s Beyond the Bin recycling directory for organizations near them that accept mattresses for donation and reuse or visit https://tinyurl.com/depmatt.

Ways to Recycle Textiles

All clean clothing, footwear, bedding, towels, curtains, fabric, or similar products must be recycled or donated for reuse.

• Donate items to the Big Brother/Big Sister Foundation by calling 508-466-4590 or scheduling a pickup online at https://bbbsfoundation.org.
• Donate items to CMRK Clothing with a Conscience. Request home pickups by calling 508-466-4590 or visiting https://www.cmrkne.com.
• To find other textile recovery organizations, please visit https://tinyurl.com/depmunirec and navigate to “How and Where to Recycle Textiles” for a list of organizations and what they accept. You also can visit MassDEP’s textile recovery web page at https://tinyurl.com/deptextile.

Residents are reminded that mattresses and textiles should only go in the trash if they are wet, moldy or contaminated.

For more information on the upcoming waste bans, please click here.

I Can’t Wait!!!

Talk about a great gift idea! Genius. 🙂

Pauline’s Gifts

512 Essex Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930

(978) 281-5558

LCI Services is currently hiring full time general laborers as well as snow shovelers and snow plowers for the upcoming season. If you are interested in applying email them at info@lcompanies.com or find them on Facebook and send them a message at the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076126357118

Surfside Pizza

Phone: (978) 281-1700

 147 Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930

Time is running out on the whale watching season and fall is a great time to go. I went with Cape Ann Whale Watch last week on a gorgeous morning. We headed out to Stellwagen Bank and were treated to several whale sightings including some feeding activity. As always, the captain (Capt John) and crew were fantastically informative. One passenger asked me if my long lens would bring the trip good luck. I replied that sometimes that lens is too long because the whales are so close by. It was the case on this trip as well. I just love these creatures but will say farewell for the season soon. I highly recommend trying to get out there! We are SO FORTUNATE to have this right in our backyard.