Amplify Arlington - 09/15/2026

Hi there, I'm Josh Gishri and you're listening to Amplify Arlington, a news podcast highlighting local stories and upcoming events. Let's dive into our stories starting with the [music] primary election results in Massachusetts. Here's the primary election results in Massachusetts. On Tuesday, September 1st, Arlington residents voted in the state primary. This is part of the statewide election that will determine which candidates advanced to the November 3rd general election. For US Senate, Democratic candidate Ed Marky defeated Seth Molton. Marky goes on to face Republican John Deon in November. For US House fifth district, Democratic candidate Katherine Clark won over Jonathan Paw and Tariq Saman. There were no Republican candidate on Arlington's ballot. Uh for governor, Democratic candidate Mora Healey won the Democratic nomination. Republican candidate Michael Manugg defeated Brian Shortsleeve. Healey goes on to face Michael Manugg in November. For Governor's Council District 3, Democratic candidate Mara Dolan defeated Margie Paladino. There were no Republican opponents. For 24th Middle Sex State Representative, Democratic candidate David Rogers defeated Nomad Gangali and won the Democratic nomination. Boston Globe NAP called the race for Rogers on election night. for Northern Middle Sex District Attorney. Democratic candidate Marian Ryan defeated David Sole in Arlington. Here are some uh upcoming events to look forward to. Thanks, Josh. First on our list is Town Day, the annual big day here in Arlington. This year will be on Saturday, September 19th from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Arlington celebrates its 50th annual Town Day. The event takes place along Massab between Pleasant Street and Jason Street and we held will be held Rain or Shine. So enjoy live music, local food, or come hang out at the Jason Russell House and enjoy a refreshment during their free outdoor summer concert series. ACMI will be covering the event live. So set your browsers to ACMI ACMI.tv/watch or YouTube ACMI TV. Recovery City. On Wednesday, September 23rd, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Arlington Overcomes Addiction will host a free screening of the documentary Recovery City in the Arlington High School Discourse Lab. The feature will be followed by a panel discussion with director Lisa Olivieri and four subjects from the film. This event is being held in recognition of National Recovery Month, which takes place every September to celebrate the gains made by people in recovery. Recovery City focuses on four women in Worcester, Massachusetts as they draw on their lived experiences, navigating trauma, confronting stigma, and supporting others on the path to healing. And now to our oped piece. I know we've run through everything, but it's exciting. Today, we're doing things a little bit differently. As you can see, we have a very special guest. Ed, I'll let you introduce this one. >> Okay. Again, thanks, Josh. Yeah, today we're continuing our theme of uh environmental protection and so forth. A couple weeks ago, we had folks from Save the Aweife. And today, we have a new person here that's been hired recently by the town of Arlington, Laura Olivier, who's the recycling coordinator here. >> Hi, everyone. Yes, thank you, Ed. I'm Laura Olivier. Um, very glad to be serving as the new zerowaste recycling coordinator for the town. Uh, yeah, I just started at the end of July. Um, so right in the swing of yard waste season, though it'll be ramping up now in the fall. Um, so definitely getting a lot of calls [snorts] for yard waste. Um, >> but uh, yeah, I'm excited to get to know residents more and and what people want to hear, what they want to learn about, what things they want to see more of in the town in terms of ways to get rid of things, dispose of things properly. and um work with committees like zero waste Arlington on bigger initiatives for the town like townwide things. >> Nice. Yeah, I've met some of the zero waste Arlington folks and uh it's actual formal committee with named >> uh members and so forth. Very very active here in Arlington. Um but quick question like recycling coordinator, do you also deal with composting and things that are related to the term >> recycling? So, I think that's why the the title for my predecessor was just recycling coordinator and now it's expanded to zero waste/recycling coordinator because I also handle trash, compost, yard waste >> and just uh waste reduction initiatives. So, it's kind of all-encompassing. >> Oh, that's good to know. To me, that's even news for us because uh I often wondered is there somebody else that handle those things? So, you're the new terminology. >> All waste. Yes. Anything [laughter] that could be is now in your purview. Okay. >> Well, that does make sense because you would have the big picture then and you can drill down into other the smaller aspects of each category. [snorts] >> Laura brought in some figures um run by the town so far with the new trash hauling contracts and so forth. It looked like um did you work that that's a 12-month number there? The 8,500 tons. Um >> yes. >> And u the recycling >> the tonnage there is let's round it up. It's 3991 3,991 tons. You recall 4,000 against 8,500. That's a very decent, very good, I think, recycling percentage as far as it tells me people are doing a good job of not just throwing everything into the garbage. They're taking the effort, taking the time. And >> I will just say though that because recycling is mandatory now in Arlington, everyone has both bins. And even uh waste management won't even take the trash if the recycling isn't out. So I think that's some people are frustrated by that if they don't need to put out the recycling bin. They're like, I just have trash this week. But the effort is to get people to really know like no, this is mandatory and so you have to put out the recycling bin even if there's only a few things in there. Uh so I think a lot of it is just habit building. like pe people initially I mean a lot of people have been doing this for years and years but anytime there's a change in hauler or there's any different slight rules people have to adjust >> right >> the yard waste is another thing Laura had some numbers there that was a high tonnage number too I didn't write that one down >> yeah that surprised me it was like 8,923 tons >> wow >> which is >> which is it's actually more than trash >> it's [laughter] more than trash >> because there's no limit to how many bags of yard waste people can put out. So, they could put out 20 bags >> at a time. >> Okay. But our topic today is more the recycling side. I think we could also slide into composting and things but um and Laura had mentioned to me which I looked up and I'll let you talk about like recyclopedia which is the mass statewide. You want to talk about that a little bit? >> Sure. So, uh there's one resource that if if anyone had questions about is this recyclable? How do I do I put this in trash or recycling or what do I do with it? Um there's a tool on recycles.org. Um you can at the top of the page there's a tool called recyclopedia and you can just type in the item and it has a little drop down of it similar items that may match and then it tells you exactly what you should do with it. trash or curbside recycling bin or take to check in with your municipality to see if they'll recycle this elsewhere like electronics for example. Um so I think that's super easy for people to use. Um but some other guidelines that people might not be aware of. I think the the number resin codes throw people off a lot for recycling because sometimes there's the chasing arrows symbol which means recyclable and then a number inside it and people if they just see the symbol they're like oh this is recyclable but actually the better guideline is the shape and size of the container um rather than the number. Those resin codes were made for the product manufacturers. They're never intended to be for residents. Um, so it has like, you know, high density polyethylene or whatever it is or polystyrene. It refers to different codes and some some of those types of plastics might theoretically be recyclable, but there isn't a market for it or there isn't a good way to collect it or there just isn't much demand for that sort of thing. So even though it technically could be recycled, the the recycling plants don't actually want it. So the best guideline for plastic, which I think is the category that trips people up the most, is bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs, um from household food, beverage, or like personal care products. Um that's what can go in your recycling bin. And you can keep the cap on, rinse it, uh, make sure there's no food in there, >> right? >> And >> it's funny, it sounds like a small thing, but I've always always wondered about the caps because it's usually a harder plastic, >> but everything I've read is like keep the cap on because they become a problem in the sorting side of the world, >> right? >> And then when you mentioned um plastic, what about the clam shell? Like a lot of food now comes whether it's, you know, warm food or >> Oh, the to-go containers. >> Yeah. It's like >> they call it the clam shell. It's like it's a hinged clear. Most of them are clear. Um >> it doesn't necessarily say bottle is that a jug. Is it a tub? Maybe it's what what what's the answer? >> I know that the berry container clamshells >> are recyclable. >> Um >> and clear ones, most of the clear ones are definitely not black plastic. M >> some of the clamshells are black. >> Um >> so black plastic just can't be sensed by the optical sorder >> and so it doesn't >> it just ends up getting thrown out. So but yeah for clamshells you can try it out in the encyclopedia. When I tried it out it said that the ones from berry containers and grapes are >> um so it might be particular kinds of clamshells. >> Mhm. back to encyclopedia. It's kind of fun if people want to try it. It gives you uh two quizzes you can take which really fun. It's [laughter] like I think there 10 questions and it scores you as you go. But what's fun they're kind of they're learning experiences because you're like >> and as much as we think we know I think that might have got seven out of 10 on one and right >> but it kind of reinforces what they are showing can be recycled. >> It's very similar to what you were you were talking about. It's it's residents at any age dealing with the fact that regulations change and and these things are updated. And so staying informed about what you can recycle is the important thing because there are going to be things that I always try whenever I've got those clamp those black clamshells. >> Well, I'm going to do the same thing. I'm still going to rinse it out if it's had food in it and I'm going to try and recycle it. But knowing that that also you can take those steps and it still is at the very end of it not going to be recycled in the same way. Um that's that's that's hard to hear when you know that. But also it's helpful to know in advance that if you're going to get those things, if you can avoid those things, then you don't need to use them and then you don't have to worry about can this be recycled or not, >> right? And that's why I think it's important. It's kind of like a producer responsibility, but also maybe distributor responsibility. Like the restaurants, if we could go to the restaurants and say, "Hey, you're giving out these black plastic to-go containers. These are not recyclable." And kind of put pressure on them to find an alternative. Same with styrofoam clamshells. >> Those are trash. So, >> good point. Yeah, styrofoam is like never can recycle, right? It's like a >> only the only styrofoam we can take at the recycle center is the the white rigid kind that snaps. So that can't go in your curbside bin, but like the kind that comes, you know, in a big TV if you were to buy a TV >> that um yeah, not bendy styrofoam, but clean white styrofoam that snaps, we can take at the recycle center by appointment. So if you save up like a bag of it from various things, then you can take >> That's good to know. So, like say with various Amazon shipments, whatever you're getting, if you have a bunch, you could make an appointment and come over and get rid of it. That's that's good news. >> And it gets densified. So, there's it's mostly air. >> Yeah. >> Um but yeah, it gets condensed into >> Oh, and then what what happens with the cubes? >> Um I think they I forget if they make park benches with them or what exactly they make, but I know some kinds of plastic. It's like on the top of the list there we have uh cans, aluminum, that kind of stuff. That's uh >> yeah, for metal. So that's mostly, you know, soda, beer cans, >> can uh beans, that sort [snorts] of thing. Aluminum trays, aluminum foil if it was clean, didn't have food on it, >> and if it was a big enough ball, could also go in there. size matters uh because it smaller things can fall through the the cracks um and then just get end up being trash. So yeah, bigger balls of aluminum foil. >> Oh, that's interesting. That's good to know, too, cuz >> So at home, maybe you just save it up after like a month of using So you had something like until [laughter] until it's ready to be recycled. Yeah. >> No. Yeah. I mean, it makes sense because at one time you don't usually use too much foil like you're baking or It's like >> I really don't ever >> cuz I try to like keep it on my countertop for the next time I have to cook something like that which works you know but uh but I don't know that's a new thing to me so I should just save it and bl >> Oh but that's a very good point to to what you just said. So you could in theory continue to collect it, but the more that you use it, the more that you're you're cooking with it, it's more likely that those pieces are going to be debris >> stuck inside and >> Yeah. Or if they had oil on them or something, then that would just be trash, any >> food residue. >> But if I make a bigger bowl, if it's dirty, is that okay or not? >> It should be clean and dry. Yeah. So like if you used it as the cover on a baking dish, that would be fine. But if I had like cheese from the lasagna stuck to it, then that would just be trash. >> Get rid of it. >> I also >> pizza boxes are are recyclable. >> Yes, they are. Yeah, pizza boxes are pizza boxes are recyclable. >> Yeah, they shouldn't have like the a plastic grill inside or sometimes there's a little plastic thing that props it up. But even with grease on them, recyclable. >> So greased cardboard pizza specific. Why is that for pizza specifically? Well, there had been question before about how much grease is acceptable on the cardboard. Um, and I think maybe years ago they didn't have a good way to recycle that cardboard that was full of the pizza grease. Yeah. >> Um, but now I've I know I I spoke to the recycling facility about that and they said, "Yes, we take pizza boxes even with grease." >> That's amazing. So, I can recycle all those pizza boxes that I get for um the high school sports games. Right. Awesome. I think that's big news because yeah, it used to be the big no no like all pizza boxes. No, with grease, you know, >> that was a big no. >> Pepperoni pizza. Yeah, whatever. He was like, ah, but like you said, I think the encyclopedia even somebody's talked about >> that now it's good and you're confirming it, too. >> But I was like, that's I think that's big news, too. It's like a lot of people. >> It's huge for me. [laughter] And then the other one was recyclopedia had Massachusetts just approved paper cups which are um >> like coffee cups for example >> like even though they're lined a little bit with something. Um >> yeah, so those Exactly. That's an example of how rules can change depending on the markets. So it used to be that uh paper coffee cups were not accepted because they had like a waterproofing lining made of plastic. But now they've found a way to segregate the lining from the paper cup. >> You can throw those at the What's up, man? >> Oh, a pizza and [laughter] >> pizza and coffee. I want >> TV guys in his glory [clears throat] [laughter] >> on the no section over there. No plastic bags or plastic wrap. I'm not sure anybody does that now in Arlington anymore with the nice new recycling bins, you know, but the the word would be not to put your recycling in a plastic bag, >> right? >> And then into the bin. That's a no no. So, >> yeah. Paper bag or loose. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's a really that that to me is is really interesting because I definitely still have the habit that at some point I've picked up of storing recycle a bunch of recycling things in a plastic bag to bring to bring that in >> which is fine if you need to carry it out and then just empty it and then bring the bag back in. But the bag itself is not because there are issues with when you >> recycle >> because it's a it gets tangled in the equipment >> and it's not the right kind of plastic to be recycled. >> Ah >> um it can be recycled separately at a at stop and shop for example plastic bags but just not curbside. So, since we know you're more than the recycling guru now, you mentioned electronic waste, and that's another interesting concept for me. Um, I know does the town have periodic recycling or electronic waste collection days or what what what what's offered by the town? >> The great thing is it's not just a few times a year, it's by appointment year round. So, at the Reuse and Recycle Center at 33 Ryder Street, um we have weekday appointments and then once a month there's weekend appointments for people who can't make middle of the day during the week. Um and people can bring all sorts of household electronics as well as scrap metal and cardboard. Um the styrofoam, rigid styrofoam I mentioned, and mattresses and uh CFL light bulbs. So, all sorts of things that can't go in your curbside bin, we can recycle there. >> So, you mentioned call for an appointment. What do people call? Is there >> Oh, not call, sorry. It's um on the the town website. You can either just Google town of Arlington and get to the main town page and then navigate to I want to recycle or you can go to arlingtonmma.gov/recycle. There's the reuse and recycle center. people can go to that and then at the top there's a link to um to make an appointment. >> Generally, how many slots are there for for a day? >> Um so it's just a one hour um time period and then there's 15 minute time slots. So six people per 15 minute time slot usually. >> Okay. Yeah. So it's an hour a day but I missed that part. Yeah, it's about it's not every day, but usually like three or four times a week there's an hour time slot. Some are in the morning, some are in the afternoon, and it's about like 24 people who could come in that hour time slot. >> Um, and usually they book up like within a week, so you might have to look to the next week. So, plan ahead. So, if I had a new phone or a new computer and I want to get rid of my old equipment, I would go on the website, book myself a time, and just drive up. >> Yes. And it can make sense to save a few things up. Like, if you just had one phone, you could come, but uh because it is a trip to go in, you can bring as much stuff as fits in your car. So, some people, you know, especially after they move or something, they bring a whole car load of cardboard. And we have a cardboard dumpster there. >> Oh, perfect. >> So, >> well, just one dedicated entirely to cardboard. >> Yes. >> So, could you repeat that for us? So, what were the different options? Electronics. You can book an appointment for cardboard and styrofoam. >> Excess cardboard that doesn't fit >> in the curbside bin. Um, bulky, rigid outdoor plastics. That one's a little tricky to know. Um, if you have questions, you can look on the website and it explains, but things like, you know, a kiddie pool or a plastic patio chair or something or even a an old recycling or trash bin that's used as yard waste that can be recycled as well. Um, any scrap metal of any size. Huh? >> Uh the styrofoam, the rigid white snappable styrofoam >> mattresses and uh fluorescent light bulbs. >> So is the electronic recycling free and or >> it's mostly free. There's just a few items that have a charge like um screens. So TVs or monitors >> and laptops and then fire extinguishers. um propane tanks we can take. So yeah, ju mostly just the screens and laptops have the charge. >> And what about a mattress? Is that must can't be free, could it? [clears throat] >> No, that's 55 currently. But that can also be picked up um >> yeah, that can be picked up by Tough Stuff Recycling, which is the town's partner for mattress recycling. And so they come curbside. It's the same price, so it's easier for a lot of people to just schedule directly with them. >> So, it's a vendor. >> It's a vendor that partners with the town. >> Would folks get that through the town website or >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Nice. >> Yeah, there's a lot of information on the town website. Uh so, it's most of what you need is there, but it does take a bit of looking through sometimes a little bit. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, that's good. Well, this will help folks know about that. It's really good. So >> a lot of products that we see now are like the mixed plastics and mixed metals, >> right? >> Um that >> I don't know that people would very easily identify what materials they are made of, especially if it's mixed metal or something like that. >> Is there again that that resource that kind of helps outline um generally like what what to look for because I know that can be >> Yeah. Are you thinking like food packaging or just other items in the house? >> Other items in the house. >> Yeah. So, for other items, you're right. If something is part wood and part metal and part plastic, Yeah. >> Um you can't recycle that even if the components are recyclable just cuz it's not going to be taken apart at the place you send it to. >> Um so, at the recycle center, >> we can take if part of [snorts] it comes off, then we can recycle that part. So if you can take it apart, we can recycle the components. But yeah, encyclopedia could um people could try that. They if it's some very particular item like a particular type of toy or something that might not come in the drop down. >> Yeah. >> But um yeah, it's a good guideline. >> That is a somewhat related question. So say I do make the decision something's recyclable but has to come to the writer street location. That's the new highway garage location, right? Um, what are we talking about? Where does people actually drive to? Like if I'm driving up with my mattress or my >> It's at 33 Ryder Street, which is off of Forest. >> But what is it? A building or what? What are they driving to? Is I guess >> Yeah, it's there's a a metal fence with a gate that opens. There is a small building and there's some shipping containers and there's a yard. >> Ah, >> like a recycling yard. >> Once you get there, you'll be able to tell right away that you're in the right spot. We also have the swap shed there that happens every Thursday. So if anyone has household goods that are in really good shape, um they can come donate them to the swap shed Thursday evenings 4:30 to 6:30. >> But I guess what I was trying to get So at this location, is there an attendant that's there as you >> Yeah, it's me or my coworker. >> Okay. So somebody has the appointment, they show up at a certain time, >> they stay in their car and then I direct them or my coworker Jackie directs them. It's not free for all like just >> that's why we have the appointment slots because it's only one or two of us >> okay >> who are helping a whole line of cars. So we just limit the number of people who can come in. >> Okay. >> So when you go over >> look for Laura. >> If she's not there tell Jackie that you were there to see Laura. Uh but thank you so much for coming in and chatting with us. We could talk a lot more about recycling and we probably will. But for now, I will sign us off. Thanks for listening to Amplify Arlington. If you missed anything or want to listen again, find us on ACMI's YouTube page or wherever you get your podcasts. ACMI, focused on you. [music] Heat. [music] Heat.