Budget - Sustainability Committee Budget pdf file

Source page 1

Canton Sustainability Committee – Budget Request FY ‘22

Background:
       The Canton Sustainability Committee was established by the Select Board in 2018. For the past
       two years, the Committee has focused on recruiting new members, establishing governance,
       leadership and goals. Partnering with resident groups, members of our committee successfully
       championed the campaign to pass Canton’s plastic bag bylaw and supported a successful, first
       ever day long Canton Greenfest at the High School on November 16, 2019 which showcased
       sustainable products, services and initiatives to a multi generational audience of the public from
       Canton and surrounding towns.

Other projects included:
       • Establishing a Textile Recycling program to remove textiles from the waste stream, thereby
           reducing trash tonnage, and which returns a modest amount of money to the Town.

        •   Provided public programming through free presentations from Republic Services on trash &
            recycling and from City Compost on the benefits of curbside composting.

        •   Partnered with Laura Smead, Town Planner, for presentations on Climate Resiliency at
            Home (the first held on February 24 and two more to come in April and June.)

Current work includes:
        • Researching a rain barrel program which will offer discounted rain barrels to residents at no
           cost to the Town. Rain barrels promote water conservation and reduce storm water runoff.

        •   A Trash and Recycling Survey sponsored and implemented by the Committee to aid the
            Town in making decisions at the expiration of Republic’s current contract. The survey
            attracted a very large response (over 500 responses so far) and remains open. An initial
            review indicates that residents are looking for more outreach and education surrounding
            trash, recycling and sustainability issues.

        •   Education efforts relating to the 2021 warrant article on municipal aggregation.

Budget Request - $1,000:*
   • For anticipated costs related to public education about waste reduction, recycling compliance,
       municipal energy aggregation and other initiatives that support and reinforce Canton’s
       commitment and goals as a Green Community:

            o   print materials, videos or speakers, advertising, printing & postage, meeting fees.

* Note: The Committee secured a state grant for its Climate Resiliency programs. The Committee will
continue to seek opportunities to leverage the impact of these funds by pursuing grant programs
offered by the state Department of Environmental Protection.