Natick Report
Since 2020: More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.
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Earth Day All Around Natick took place last month, and the reports from the collection events are in. We heard from organizers of the Household Hazardous Materials event, National Drug Take Back Day, and the Textiles Fundraising Drive. The upshot—lots of unwanted chemicals, prescription drugs, and old fabric items were kept out of landfills and properly disposed of.
In addition to the collection events, more than 30 events all over town were organized by residents, families, community groups, and local organizations, with the leadership of the EcoNatick volunteer group.
Here are the numbers:
Natick’s 38th Hazardous Waste Collection Day drew 240 residents who took seriously the proper disposal of nasty items that can accumulate under kitchen sinks and in basements, sheds, and garages. Some of the larger items collected according to Natick Director of Public Health Michael Boudreau included paints (specifically thinners, varnishes, strippers, etc.), fertilizers, and old or mixed gasoline. Quantities were measured in pounds or gallons received and units per household. In all, 120 pounds/gallons, or 251 units of various household hazardous waste items, were turned in for environmentally safe disposal.
The Natick Board of Health worked in partnership with the DPW, the Natick Police, and many volunteers. Health Department staff helped out with traffic control, registration confirmation, and assisting service collection providers to keep track of quantities. The Natick DPW provided the appropriate facility with a safe traffic pattern, collection site, and other support.
Once the hazardous waste materials were collected by the service provider, items were sealed in containers and dropped off at a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved facility.
Natick Police Department participated in the semiannual U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Drug Take Back event, accepting 314 lb. of medications from residents within the community.
“This was significantly higher than the 112.8 lb. collected last October 2023 and 218.4 lb. collected April 2023. It was a successful event with many appreciative attendees,” Lt. Chad Howard said.
After the event, Natick Police secured the meds in boxes and provided secure transport to the Framingham Police Department. From there, the items were weighed and loaded into a box truck by the New England Division of the U.S. DEA. The items will be be destroyed.
Under the leadership of the School Resource Officer the Youth Police Academy will provide Natick Youth ages 12 -14 an opportunity to train with police officers in an effort to foster responsible citizenship and introduce them to Public Safety Services.
Natick Police Officers will provide learning experiences through lectures, role-play, and demonstrations to introduce the Cadets to Public Safety Services to include: CPR, Emergency Medical, Emergency Dispatching and large mass Emergency Response.
Cadets will participate in an enthusiastic physical training program in a ParaMilitary setting. Cadets will learn how to march in formation, work on team building and group dynamic strategies.
Friday will be a half day Graduation exercise with a family collation to follow.
WHEN: July 8-12, 2024
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 24
TIME: 7:30am-2:30pm
LOCATION: Natick Police Department
COST: No Charge
Applicants will be considered based on school and community standing
Applications will be accepted no later than May 24.
Natick Police at the Farmer’s Market—May 25; June 26; July 27, Aug. 24
With the leadership of Fisk Church’s United Women in Faith group, about 5k lbs. of clothing, linens, and other textiles were collected to be reused or reprocessed into new fabrics or industrial materials such as carpets and cleaning cloths.
Turns out the single collection truck provided by partner organization, SimpleRecycling wasn’t enough. The Natick community donated so many bags on Textiles Collection Day that a second pickup was scheduled for mid-May.
After SimpleRecycling picks up items, they are graded and sorted based on quality and condition. The top-quality materials are resold to local thrift outlets, mid-grade is exported to international markets, and “unusable” items are processed for raw materials.
“Thanks to overwhelming support from the Natick community and EcoNatick, we exceeded our expectations with the Earth Day recycling program,” Debbie Friscino, President of Fisk United Women in Faith said.
Although Women in Faith won’t know how much money they will receive from the fundraising effort until the weight count is official, Debbie says, “We will be using the money to donate to programs supporting women and children such as Family Promise Metrowest and Natick Service Council. We also support FACE Children’s Center in Natick, Cooper Community Center in Boston and the Massachusetts Coalition of Jane Doe Inc.”
The next Fisk Church Textiles Collection day will take place in September 2024.
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