(Chelsea Update would like to thank Winn Nichols for the information in this story.)
The 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Committee, established in the fall of 2021 at Silver Maples, is making significant strides in promoting sustainability and educating the community on effective recycling methods.
As National Recycling Day approaches on Nov. 15, the 3Rs Committee has organized an exciting lineup of educational programming and events at Silver Maples, featuring guest speaker Marc Williams, facility manager from Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority (WWRA), informative documentaries, word games, and displays showcasing the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling. The focus continues to be on the recycling of foam and soft plastic, improving the use of the Recycle/Trash Rooms, reducing single-use take-out containers, especially Styrofoam, and encouraging residents to bring their own carry-out containers to the dining rooms.
Successful recycling requires a collective commitment, involving not just individuals but the entire community.
The recycling initiative at Silver Maples is a collaborative effort involving staff, the 3Rs Committee, and the residents. Patti Kucera, director of food service and a 3Rs committee member, has taken a lead role in reducing waste across food service operations. She has initiated displays showing the financial costs of single-use containers and made affordable containers available for residents.
“I’ve seen a significant reduction in the use of single plastic and foam to-go containers since the 3Rs Committee started educating residents to bring their own containers. This reduces waste and allows us to order fewer to-go containers, meaning less in the landfills,” Kucera said in the press release.
Winn Nichols, director of programming and wellness, has provided expertise in creating signage for the Trash/Recycle Rooms, displays for bi-annual awareness campaigns, and support for initiatives like the Kill the Disposable Cup campaign. The maintenance staff, under the leadership of Director of Facility Operations Tim Lamb, has played a crucial role in transforming trash rooms into functional recycling areas and managing glass recycling and returnable cans and bottles.
Our resident council has many profitable ways they fundraise money for student scholarships for staff that work at Silver Maples. One piece of the council’s fundraising efforts is the donation of returnable cans, proceeds go into the scholarship fund. The commitment of the maintenance crew, housekeeping staff, kitchen workers, and resident council has been vital to the success of Silver Maples’ recycling efforts.
Silver Maples is grateful for our recycling partners in the wider community. Picking up where WWRA leaves off, community volunteers Bill and Glenna Jo Christen collect our Styrofoam for recycling to bring to DART recycle center in Mason, Michigan.
Chelsea High School’s student groups, Independence Hall and the Arbor Club, pick up our film plastic for recycling to TREX company in Lansing. These strategic and successful initiatives have made Silver Maples a more environmentally conscious organization.
As National Recycling Day on Nov. 15 approaches, the Silver Maples 3Rs Committee encourages everyone to think about ways to protect our environment. Learn about local recycling locations for soft plastics, like the Chelsea District Library, and consider organizing foam recycling events in your community. All individual’s efforts make a significant difference.
About Silver Maples of Chelsea: Silver Maples Retirement Neighborhood is a vibrant community that excels at creating and supporting a positive aging experience. We are a locally-owned nonprofit 501c3 organization that is jointly sponsored by Silver Maples Inc. and 5 Healthy Towns Foundation.
