NRRA Staff Visits Weare, NH Transfer Station
The full NRRA staff recently completed a day-long staff retreat, which began with a visit to the Weare, NH transfer station. The eleven staff members were greeted by Transfer Station Operator, Frank Baker, and Interim Public Works Director, Jason Fiske for a tour of the facility. Both Frank and Jason are relatively new to their respective positions, but it's clear they are both working hard to support and improve the transfer station and public works department. Frank made the transition to the transfer station after honing his organizational and people skills in the restaurant industry for several decades.
Weare, NH has approximately 9500 residents year round, with an influx of vacationers bringing the total to around 11,500 in the summer months. Thanks to Frank's focus on improving resident recycling education, the transfer station has seen a decrease of 20 tons per week of MSW being hauled out, down to about 40 tons per week. He credits this to some improved signage and LOTS of friendly one-on-one conversations with residents.
The facility has a central drive-up with municipal solid waste (MSW) going into a hopper on the left (pictured below), with recyclables separated to the right. Recycling is mandatory in Weare, NH. Currently they recycle cardboard, mixed paper, steel and tin cans, aluminum, and glass, with the possibility of a plastics recycling program coming on board in the near-future. Frank talked about balancing the realities of running a transfer station with very limited staff with residents' desire to increase recycling to include plastic.
"It's all about the people and trying to work with them. It's all a work in progress. It's about me learning, it's about the residents learning. I'm not here to argue, I'm here to help. If I say something to someone and it changes something in their mind, that's a good thing!"
While there is no swap shop, residents can leave gently-used item in front of the item's appropriate drop-off place. For instance, a like-new discarded watering can was left by the MSW drop off. If not picked up within a couple of days, the items are discarded (though NRRA's own Administrative Specialist, Lindsay Dow scooped the watering can up, while Communications Manager, Andrea Folsom scored a nearly-new manual push mower!)
Frank also pointed out signage he is in the process of updating. There were several signs listing the value of a load of recyclables, letting residents know their recycling makes a real financial impact on their taxes. NRRA staff also highlighted the NH the Beautiful sign program that all transfer stations have access to in NH.
NRRA Senior Member Services Representative, Bonnie Bethune, pointed out to NRRA staff the excellent use of space as baled cardboard bales were kept safe from the elements under the public works storage building overhang (pictured above in the bottom left, along with the stored forklift).
When asked about his three favorite things about the facility, Frank was quick to answer: People! People! People!
It was clear how much he enjoys working with Weare residents, and how much they appreciate what Frank has brought to the transfer station, with a resident calling out in passing, "Frank, you're doing one heck of a job down here!" before continuing on his way.
Though much is going well, Frank highlighted a few of the challenges he still faces, including improving their waste oil recycling, improving their battery recycling, and the fact the facility doesn't have a swap table or shed.
Ultimately, the strong partnership between NRRA and Weare was clear. As a municipal member, NRRA assists Weare in managing all of their recyclables (scheduling load pick-ups, negotiating the best prices, watching for finance errors, and more). For instance, in 2022, Weare recycled over 527,000 pounds of paper, conserving enough energy to fully charge over 107.5 million cell phones! All together, they recycled 1.3 million pounds of materials and avoided 5.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. That's the equivalent of removing 564 passenger cars from the road for an entire year!
When reflecting on NRRA's work, Frank noted:
"You guys have become my go-to. It's huge to have you here for me while I'm dealing with everything. The nice part is I can pick up the phone, ask a question, and it's answered. It's all the little things that help."
(Photo: Frank and NRRA Logistics Coordinator, Sam Foresta)