Zero Waste Day in Swampscott Saturday

SWAMPSCOTT – The Swampscott Recycling Task Force is helping spring cleaners de-clutter their homes and give to a cause this weekend with the second annual Zero Waste Day.Board of Health Chairman Martha Dansdill said the event, which is Saturday at Swampscott High School from 9 a.m. to noon, is in conjunction with Earth Day to help people to use less waste overall.?It?s to encourage people to do spring cleaning so they can donate, recycle and reuse things that would normally get thrown in the trash,” said Dansdill.The event will collect gently used or new clothes and household goods, textiles, and working electronics (but no older television sets), plus rechargeable batteries and eyeglasses, and give them to Goodwill. Dansdill said last year, the event collected 10,000 pounds of goods for the charity.In addition to the drop-off, the event will feature a book, CD and DVD swap, free of charge, and a bike sale with proceeds benefitting the Rails to Trails organization. Dansdill said they will also be collecting mercury items that cannot be put in the trash, like thermostats and thermometers.At the same time, the Department of Public Works will be collecting plastic items such as trash barrels, buckets, milk crates, flower pots, patio furniture and children?s play equipment at the DPW yard on Paradise Road.Zero Waste Day will be going on rain or shine.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].