Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sustainability Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sustainability committee reports progress on recycling, school composting and festival pilots
Summary
The Scituate Sustainability Committee (SSC) reported an 18‑month summary of activities including an Earth Day clean‑up, school food‑waste pilot programs, and a recycling/compost pilot at the Scituate Art Festival; the committee also changed its name and outlined plans for 2025.
The Scituate Sustainability Committee presented an 18‑month annual report to the council, detailing volunteer cleanups, school composting pilots, festival waste audits and outreach efforts.
Committee secretary Greg Fiat said the group shortened its name from the “Scituate Sustainability Initiative Committee” to “Scituate Sustainability Committee” and adopted a mission emphasizing cooperation, fiscal prudence and education. Fiat said the committee ran the town’s 2024 Earth Day cleanup (April 20) with more than 50 volunteers and collected an estimated 1,280 pounds of trash and 560 pounds of recycling despite heavy rain.
The committee highlighted a two‑year pilot with the Scituate Art Festival to audit waste streams and reduce landfill disposal. Fiat said the 2024 festival pilot diverted roughly 1,615 pounds of mixed recycling, 38 pounds of plastic film (collected for Walgreens), and 348 pounds of compostable organic material — figures the committee expects to improve with stronger vendor engagement and back‑of‑kitchen assistance.
The SSC also reported success with school food‑waste reductions through the Rhode Island School Recycling Project’s Food Smart Schools program. North Scituate and Clayville elementary schools implemented sorting stations and student cafeteria rangers; lines for Hope Elementary were set to begin March 3. The committee estimated the pilot diverts an average of 38 pounds of waste per day per school, which could total 10 to 15 tons per year per school when fully implemented.
Fiat said the committee maintains an active presence at farmers markets and will pursue a town‑hosted website and additional school outreach in 2025. Council members thanked volunteers and indicated interest in touring school sorting stations.
Why it matters: The program aims to reduce landfill tipping fees, improve recycling rates and provide educational opportunities for students.
Speakers included Greg Fiat, several council members who thanked the committee, and school and nonprofit partners referenced in the report.
