Member Benefits
The South Shore Recycling Cooperative (SSRC) is a voluntary association of seventeen South Shore towns. It was established in 1998 to help member towns improve their recycling programs, and reduce the amount, toxicity and cost of disposal. Members of the SSRC are listed in the footer.
The SSRC brings working knowledge of the most efficient systems available for managing municipal solid waste, access to regional vendor information, and economy of scale to further reduce costs. As a cohesive regional entity with dedicated staff, the SSRC influences policy and legislation that affects its members’ programs at the State level.
MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
- Less trash: Disposed trash tonnage in Member towns has dropped by 43% per household served since 2005, saving $3.5 million/year in disposal costs at current rates.
- Higher returns for recyclables: Textiles, paper, some plastic and metals all have value. SSRC helps its Members get the most for these commodities, and pay a fair price for those with costs.
- Household Hazardous Waste Collections : administrative and on site assistance and oversight, publicity, and the ability to send residents to all eleven of our collections/year provides cost and staff time savings and convenience to member towns and their residents. Coordinating multi-town events spreads the costs out.
- Special events : The SSRC coordinates curbside and drop-off collection events for materials such as mattresses, tires, and propane tanks.
- Compost site management: Members have easy access to regional contracts for brush grinding, compost screening, material removal and information on best management practices.
- Difficult to manage waste: The Staff provides assistance in managing and finding good service providers for everything from mattresses and mercury to propane tanks and paint, electronic waste, medical sharps, tires, batteries, …
RECYCLING DIVIDENDS PROGRAM
- Membership in SSRC qualifies Member Towns for 2 additional RDP Points, worth $400-$3000 each, depending on households served, thanks to our HHW Reciprocity program. New members may use RDP funds toward the first two years of Membership dues. Our outreach and technical support helps Member towns earn additional points in other categories.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
- Website – info provides town-and material-specific recycling and hazardous waste collection information, press releases, a monthly newsletter, and links to other sites.
- Resident Contacts – SSRC Staff fields hundreds of calls from residents each year. Distribution of 25,000 informational palm cards has increased phone and web traffic.
- Community presentations – SSRC Staff and its exhibit provide waste prevention information in local media and at workshops and events.
- Newsletter – published every 6 weeks, circ. 2000, the South Shore Recycling News contains local, state and national recycling news.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND NETWORKING
- An on-call expert: The Executive Director advises members on vendor and program options, contracts, pricing, grant opportunities, etc. She gathers tonnage, fee and pricing data for program and year to year comparisons. She attends conferences, workshops and webinars, and shares what she learns with our members at meetings and in our monthly newsletter.
- Networking opportunities: Our well-attended 6-weekly meetings feature area vendors, and provide the opportunity to discuss issues and program details with our solid waste managers.
- Tours: The SSRC arranges and hosts facility tours at outlets for many of our materials.
ADVOCACY
- MassDEP: The Executive Director attends policy meetings hosted by MassDEP, provides testimony on regulations, and acts as a liaison between our Members and State organizations.
- The State House: The SSRC is a strong and consistent voice, working with other organizations to move cost- and resource-saving legislation forward. It is a leader in driving and supporting Producer Responsibility legislation, which would shift recycling and disposal costs from municipalities and ratepayers to producers and consumers, and improve recycling efficiency.
Member Towns
Become a Member Town
Contact: Claire Galkowski, Executive Director South Shore Recycling Cooperative
Email: director@ssrcoop.info
Phone: 781-329-8318