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January 2023

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Fwd: Cambridge's 2022 Trash Reduction, Deep Dive on Food Waste Program
by RUTH RYALS 04 Jan '23

04 Jan '23

Help yourself and the City! > ---------- Original Message ---------- > From: Cambridge DPW <recycle(a)cambridgema.gov> > Date: 01/04/2023 4:49 PM > Subject: Cambridge's 2022 Trash Reduction, Deep Dive on Food Waste Program > > > Get Your Christmas Tree Collection Schedule > Monthly Updates from City of Cambridge DPW Recycling Division > How Cambridge Reduced Trash in 2022 > Happy New Year! Thank you to everyone who helped us reduce our trash in 2022. We reduced trash by 7% compared to 2021. That may not sound like a large reduction, however the largest decrease in trash in the last 10 years occurred in 2019 when we reduced trash by 5%. > > Here are some reasons why our trash decreased: > 1. Curbside compost was restored in May 2021 after being suspended temporarily for COVID. > 2. After compost restarted in May 2021, participation was low. In 2022, DPW did a big push to encourage people to compost to help with the rodent issue. Since then, the amount of food waste collected increased 15%. > 3. Textiles Recovery Program: In the first year of this program, more than 150 tons of textiles were collected. > > In 2023, we hope that you will help us continue driving trash reduction. You can help by: > 1. Encouraging a neighbor to recycle more or start composting. Almost 50% of Cambridge's trash is recyclable or compostable. > 2. Committing to bring scrap metal and e-waste to the Recycle Center. And take textiles to a drop-off bin or schedule free home pick-up. Nearly 10% of Cambridge's trash is metal, e-waste, or textiles. > 3. Reducing and reusing more: Bring a reusable bag, opt out of utensils/napkins/etc when getting take-out, and consider giving away or selling durable goods online, such as CraigsList, Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing Cambridge https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… , or Nextdoor. > Reminder: Christmas Tree Collection Ends Next Week > > This week and next week (Jan. 9-13), we collect bare trees at the curb on your collection day. Please no decorations, bags, etc. > > If you miss curbside pick-up, you may drop-off Holiday Trees at the Recycle Center https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… (during open hours only) until January 31, 2023. > Download the Zero Waste Cambridge App > With the Zero Waste Cambridge App you can: > · Set reminders and view calendars for trash, recycling, yard waste and compost collection > · Receive alerts for pick-up delays due to holidays or weather > · Find out how to dispose of waste with the Get Rid of It Right tool > · Test your recycling skills with an interactive waste sorting game—fun for kids and adults! > > Download the app for iOS https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… or Google Play https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… or find it online here https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… . > Deep Dive: Cambridge's Compost/Food Waste Program > Since 2018, food waste from the green compost carts on the curb each week has been sent to the CORe facility https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… in Charlestown. From there, the food goes to the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… (GLSD) where the food is digested to generate energy, or biogas. > > This process is called anaerobic digestion https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… (AD). Wastewater treatment facilities and farms have increasingly turned to AD to reduce costs and help fight climate change. AD has deep roots in environmentally progressive countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Denmark https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… , where 30% of their natural gas is made from digesting manure and food. Unlike gas from fossil fuel extraction, biogas from AD does not add to net greenhouse gas emissions. > > In Mass., AD is expanding rapidly https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… . From 2016 to 2021, the amount of food waste being digested in MA has increased from 48,000 to 211,000 tons. AD also is expanding rapidly in other states. > > Sending food waste to AD has several benefits, but the most important one is that it can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. (In Europe, AD has an added benefit of mitigating geopolitical energy issues https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… .) > > In 2019, the US EPA asked environmental analysts to study the benefits of different ways to manage food waste. In the study https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… , the researchers compared incineration, landfilling, composting, and anaerobically digesting food waste. The results showed that AD may be the best option for managing food waste in Cambridge because AD helps avoid the need to use electricity and natural gas from the grid, drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, so much energy is being generated that our processor GLSD is one of the first net zero wastewater treatment facilities in the US https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… . > Textiles Recycling Fundraisers > Attention nonprofits and community groups: Raise money for your group by recycling textiles with HELPSY, the City's contractor. HELPSY can help setup a one-day clothing drive, or provide textile bins at your location for ongoing donations. For every pound that is collected at clothing drives or in textile bins, the host will receive seven cents. > > Email us if you're interested in learning more mailto:recycle@cambridgema.gov . > Upcoming Dates > > * Tues. 1/3- 1/13: Curbside Christmas Tree Collection > * Sat. 1/14 - 1/31: Christmas Tree Drop-off at Recycle Center https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… (during open hours only) > > Email us mailto:recycle@cambridgema.gov to share other waste-related events! > Click Here to Join This Mailing List! https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… > What Are We Reading? > > What A Waste: Food Waste in RI https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… (video on PBS) > > Straight talk about plastics recycling https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… (Commonwealth) > > Guests at the Earthshot Awards were encouraged to dress sustainably. Mayor Wu understood the assignment https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… (Boston Globe) > > MIT crafters want the Red Line’s ‘ugly’ fabric seats to live forever https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… (Boston Globe) > > [Facebook] https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… [Twitter] https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wn-1_QeZAcH5lV6mfw8sMzvG6AzNqP2_amwbHeHY29C… > Department of Public Works | 147 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 > > >

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Fwd: Transit Bulletin | January 2023 transit news and updates
by raryals 02 Jan '23

02 Jan '23

------------------------------ *From:* Cambridge Community Development Department <etp(a)cambridgema.gov> *Sent:* Monday, January 2, 2023 10:25:10 AM *To:* rryals(a)comcast.net <rryals(a)comcast.net> *Subject:* Transit Bulletin | January 2023 transit news and updates Transit Advisory Committee meeting on January 5 <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> Cambridge Transit Advisory Committee (TAC) will meet on January 5 Happy holidays and happy new year! We look forward to meeting with you on Thursday, January 5, 2022 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. with remote participation on Zoom webinar. You can click the buttons below to see the meeting agenda and to register for the meeting. View January meeting agenda <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> Register for meeting on Zoom webinar <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> You can view meeting materials at the TAC webpage. View TAC webpage <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> Winter service changes The MBTA changed schedules on December 18, 2022. The MBTA have not announced information on when they will restore schedules to previous levels. For the subway, the MBTA reduced the frequency of trains on the Red Line, to arrive: - Every 6 to 17 minutes, on weekdays - Every 8 to 17 minutes, on Saturdays - Every 8 to 18 minutes, on Sundays Trains on the Green Line will arrive every 6 to 12 minutes all week long. The MBTA has reduced bus trips on the following routes : - Route 1 - Fewer trips between 6 p.m. and 1 a.m. on weekdays - Route 66 - Fewer trips between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. on weekdays - Route 77 - Fewer trips between 7 and 9 a.m. on weekdays - Route 78 - Fewer trips on weekdays - Route 80 - Fewer trips between 6 and 9 a.m. and 4 and 6:30 p.m on weekdays - Route 91 - Fewer trips on weekdays Learn more about the winter schedule changes <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> MBTA accessibility information The MBTA closed the following elevators, at the time of writing. - Porter - Elevator 983 closed for maintenance - Red Line platforms to lobby - Use elevator 987 The MBTA has closed the following escalators in Cambridge, at the time of writing: - Alewife - Escalator 353 closed for maintenance - Concourse to busway MBTA Accessibility Alerts Page <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> Green Line to Medford now open The MBTA began Green Line service Medford-Tufts Station on Monday, December 12, 2022. The following five new Green Line stations opened that day: - Medford-Tufts - Ball Square - Magoun Square - Gilman Square - East Somerville The Green Line "E" branch serves this new branch. In Cambridge, you can now board "D Union Square-Riverside" and "E Medford/Tufts-Heath Street" trains at Lechmere station. [image: Green Line Extension - Fare Validation Tutorial] <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> Riders boarding the Green Line at the new stations must validate a pass or ticket at a fare vending machine. The fare vending machine will print a ticket which will be your proof of validation or payment. The MBTA created a video to show you how to validate at the new stations. Learn more about the GLX project <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> Other MBTA Projects in Cambridge The MBTA has a number of ongoing projects in Cambridge. For more information, please click the links below to view the MBTA project pages: - Systemwide Accessibility Improvements <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> | Upgrades that make transit trips more accessible - new elevators, refurbished elevators, bus stop reconstruction, etc. - Green Line Train Protection System <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…>| Upgrades to the Green Line safety monitoring and crash prevention systems - Red Line Transformation <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> | Maintaining and upgrading equipment and facilities on the Red Line so that trains come more often and are more reliable - Review of 2022 Transformation progress <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> - Red Line Signal Upgrades <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> | Upgrading train signal systems to improve Red Line schedule reliability and reducing time and money need to maintain signal equipment - Alewife Crossover Improvements <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> | Reconstructing tracks between Alewife and Davis stations - Alewife Garage Repairs <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…>| Repairing the concrete decks, mechanical, electrical, and drainage systems in the parking structure and entrance/exits. - Fare Transformation <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> | Replacing and modernizing fare equipment which will mean more ways and places to pay your fare and an online account management system - South Station Development + Improvements <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> | Building a larger Commuter Rail concourse, rail platform canopy, larger intercity bus terminal, new escalators, stairs, and elevators between bus terminal and rail station, and indoor bike parking - North Station Terminal Area Signal System Improvements <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…>| Upgrading signal equipment at North Station to improve commuter rail train reliability and increase capacity MBTA planning studies in Cambridge The MBTA has a number of ongoing planning studies that affect Cambridge. For more information on individual studies, click the links below. - Bus Network Redesign <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> | Planning for a new network of MBTA bus routes to be implemented in the upcoming years - Silver Line extension alternatives analysis <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> | Analyzing alternative routings for a potential extension of the Silver Line from Chelsea to Everett and Somerville, Cambridge, and Boston - View video of latest public meeting on December 13, 2022 <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> - Bus Electrification <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> | Doing preliminary engineering to convert North Cambridge carhouse from electric trolleybuses to battery-electric buses Visit MBTA's Projects Page <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> Other projects in Cambridge A community plan: "Our Cambridge Street" The City has released a draft plan for public comments. We will keep the input survey open until January 9, 2023. Click the links below for more information - Our Cambridge Street - Draft plan <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> - Public comment survey <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> Visit the Our Cambridge St. webpage <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> [image: Facebook] ‌ <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…>[image: Twitter] ‌ <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…>[image: Instagram] ‌ <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> CambridgeMA.gov/CDD <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_qzPlSws0vdLNvX-y6WPXW6ateHbP9djd-SSNdG2yMi…> Cambridge Community Development Department | 344 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139 -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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