Portsmouth Hires New Recycling Coordinator

Recycling efforts in Portsmouth are set to be invigorated and streamlined after the town has hired Sanne Kure-Jensen, an experienced educator, writer, webmaster, gardener and beekeeper, as its new recycling coordinator.

Kure-Jensen lives in Portsmouth and has years of experience leading workshops at libraries, garden club meetings and conferences throughout the Northeast. She also manages on-farm workshops and teaches in the classroom for the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island and her writing about Rhode Island farmers and agriculture has appeared in numerous publications.

That experience will translate well as she takes charge of the town’s recycling programs. A key component of her job is education and outreach and Kure-Jenson will be busy implementing programs to teach Portsmouth residents how not just to recycle more, but also to help the town reach the ultimate goal of becoming a zero waste community.

In practical terms, that means helping to coordinate hazardous waste collection programs with other Aquidneck Island towns, streamlining the town’s recycling website, expanding social media outreach and leading workshops and classes to encourage greener living.

Kure-Jensen’s hiring comes as Portsmouth must increase its recycling rates to avoid paying exorbitant tipping fees at the Central Landfill in Johnston.

“RIRRC announced that tipping fees would nearly double in the next two to three years. Portsmouth residents need to increase recycling rates or pay significantly higher transfer station sticker rates,” said Judi Steven, vice-chairwoman of the Portsmouth Sold Waste/Recycling Committee.

Funding for the position comes from rebates the town earns based on the amount the town recycles. The incentive compels the town to aggressively pursue measures to teach residents how to divert every last scrap of recyclable material.

“The more we separate and divert from our main transfer station ‘Pit,’ the more funds come back to us for recycling education and programs,” said Committee Member Tom Gorski.

According to a release, “Portsmouth’s Solid Waste/Recycling Committee is a group of professionals, consumers, gardeners and environmentalists working to increase the Town’s recycling rate and to promote responsible waste handling, recycling and composting. The Committee reviews Portsmouth’s solid waste disposal and recycling programs and makes recommendations to the Town Council.

The Committee fosters a better understanding of packaging material and product disposal working towards a Zero Waste goal. The Committee has sponsored recycling equipment and education at Portsmouth High School. David Kehew, Director of Public Works, and Committee volunteers coordinate specialized waste disposal days like the biennial Eco Depot and hard plastic collection at Portsmouth High School.”

For more information on recycling in Portsmouth, RI, see www.portsmouthri.com/181/Portsmouth-Recycles, call (401) 643-0359 or email SKureJensen@PortsmouthRI.com.