Shed will offer opportunity for sharing

By Kelly Kandra Hughes

As a town of only 1,600 people, Norfolk has become a throw-away society. In 2018, Norfolk residents generated over 1,000 tons of waste. Included in this number is municipal solid waste (i.e., our garbage) from residential, commercial, and industrial sources, as well as bulky waste from land clearing or demolition. Hazardous, biomedical, sludge, and scrap metal waste are not included in this total.

Norfolk did, however, manage to recycle 171 tons of materials. Except our recycling isn’t always recycled.

According to Matt Riiska, first selectman of Norfolk, “We used to get paid for our paper, our recycled glass, and plastic. Now there’s no market for it. The majority of the plastics used to go to China, but nobody really uses it now. Because the glass is now single stream recycling (mixed with other recyclables such as plastic and aluminum), it’s too difficult and expensive to separate, so nobody wants it. Materials Innovation & Recycling Authority picks our recycling up and they’ll recycle as there’s a need for it, or the materials get burned, or it gets sent to a landfill out of state.”

Considering the environmental impacts of burning our waste or burying it in a landfill, as well as the price tag that comes with removal –   $153,000 for fiscal year 2019-2020 – Norfolk needs better ways to reduce our waste and keep stuff out of landfills.

One solution in the works is a salvage shed. This idea was initially brought forth by NorfolkNET, a grassroots organization whose goal is to alleviate poverty among Norfolk residents. NET brought the idea to Town Hall, where it was embraced. As Riiska said, “Any way we can reduce the number of tons we throw away is a good thing.”

The salvage shed will be available at the transfer station starting Saturday, June 1. This shed will be a place where Norfolk residents can leave and/or take reusable items in good condition, such as kitchenware, household decorations, toys, games, sports equipment, and tools.

“The idea for a salvage shed was inspired by our desire to give more people better access to things they need,” said Rev. Erick Olsen, one of the originators of NorfolkNET. “Of course, we also wanted to provide more opportunities for Norfolk residents to gift their gently used items as an ideal alternative to simply tossing them in the trash.” He added that the salvage shed not only reduces town waste and related expenses, but it lessens environmental impact by reducing shipping of items likely made halfway around the world. “This is a win on multiple levels, so it’s an experimental and entrepreneurial initiative that we’re excited to be leading!”

The salvage shed will be a work in progress throughout the summer. With a rent-to-own option, the town will be funding an 8 feet by 40 feet shipping container at $95 a month, with $125 for delivery, using available money from the transfer station budget. LED lighting and tables will also need to be purchased.

Volunteers will be on hand to staff the salvage shed on Saturdays in June to make sure traffic flow isn’t impeded for regular waste disposal, as well as to assist residents with any questions or concerns they may have about what sort of items should be donated.

Clothing will not be accepted at the salvage shed. For residents with gently used clothing in good condition, these items may be donated to the Norfolk Church of Christ’s clothes closet during regular church office hours, Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Updates about the salvage shed project will be given on Norfolk NET’s Facebook page leading up to the June 1opening. For more information or if you would like to volunteer at the salvage shed during a Saturday in June, please contact NorfolkNET at 860-542-7185 ext. 262 or NorfolkNETCT@gmail.com.