To the editor:
During the Lee Founders Weekend (LFW), we did our first stint sorting through trash for recyclable and compostable materials as part of Lee Greener Gateway Committee (LGGC) efforts toward zero waste. Massachusetts has to send 40 percent of our waste out of state because we have so few in-state options left. This percentage will only continue to rise unless we all pitch in to make changes. It is not only very costly to tax payers but untenable for the environment. The trash is still on the planet somewhere, even if we don’t see it.
As we were staffing one of the zero-waste stations, someone irritatedly asked, “Don’t you have anything better to do than to pick through the trash?” Throughout LFW, the LGGC, with a dedicated troop of volunteers, diverted more than 80 percent of the waste volume to recycling and composting. The 500-plus pounds of compostables will be turned into nutrient-rich humus to help plants grow. We believe that made our time well spent. We can even say it was enjoyable because of the camaraderie and community solidarity we experienced. Imagine this multiplied with every festival in Berkshire County and beyond.
We are grateful for the encouragement, cooperation, and willingness to learn shown by many attendees. We also really appreciate all the efforts put in by Meadow Farm for no-cost compostables processing; Casella for no-cost trash and recyclables processing; the Lee Chamber of Commerce and Tri-Town Health Department for promoting zero waste efforts; individual volunteers from Lee and other towns; staff from Big Y, Canna Provisions, CIP Berkshire and Lee Elementary School; and vendors who changed to compostable supplies.
Without all this wonderful support, we would not have accomplished as much as we did. Of course, we all had other things we could have been doing on LFW, but caring for the earth one action at a time was worth the effort. Our children deserve our willingness to do what we can.
Jim and Chris Schwarz, Lee Greener Gateway Committee
Lee
