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Recycling and Solid Waste Committee (minutes)

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Town of Bow Recycling and Solid Waste 
Committee  
 
September 1, 2026 Meeting 
Draft Meeting Minutes 
 
To:​
David Stack, Town Manager 
cc:​
Bow Administrative Assistant, Committee Webpage, Recycling Committee 
Members 
Re:  ​ Recycling and Solid Waste Committee Minutes for September 1, 2026 
Meeting (DRAFT) 
Date:​ September 1, 2026 
Committee Member Attendees:  Sherri Cheney, Deb Unger, Beth Titus, and Irene 
Hou.  
Other Attendees: Greg Rule, Dunbarton Transfer Station Manager, Helga 
Bouchard, Dunbarton Resident 
MEETING BEGAN AT 7:05 P.M.  
1.​
Review of June Meeting Minutes  
To be approved at the October meeting.  
 
2.​
Recycling Tipping Fees –Rates 
Sherri Cheney reported on tipping fees for recyclables. The tipping fees per ton 
were $129.97 for June and $143.77 for July. Sherri noted that tipping fees have 
increased and questioned whether we should consider other options. It was 
decided that we would continue to monitor fees for now. 
 
3.  ​
Recycling and Solid Waste Totals 
Sherri reported on collection amounts for recycling and solid waste. Single 
stream recycling was 77.56 tons for June and 72.56 tons for July. Trash was 201.21 
tons for June and 206.20 tons for July. 
 
 
 

4.       Renewal Garden and Compost Update 
The compost program continues to run smoothly and be well used. 
 
5.       Status of Terracycle Containers 
Since the last meeting, Irene sent in a full bag of snack pouches for recycling. 
Irene updated the committee on our request to redeem points. Terracycle 
redeems points twice yearly, so our points will be paid out in January 2027. Our 
request was for 46,337 points = $463.37. 
   
6.   HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY October 17, 2026 
Sherri led a discussion on managing HHWD on October 17, 2026. 
 
In regard to management of local items, it was discussed that previously Woody 
Bowne (prior Supervisor of the Dunbarton Transfer Station) had rented a U-Haul 
and coordinated disposal of these items. Bow paid $350 to Dunbarton for 
coordinating the disposal in addition to the percentage of fees for Bow items. 
Greg Rule, current Dunbarton Transfer Station Manager, stated he will manage 
the transportation and disposal of these local items to North Coast Services. 
Greg will also bring cardboard boxes for collecting tube fluorescent bulbs. Bow 
will pay Dunbarton $350 for this service as well the percentage of the cost of 
Bow’s recyclables.  
 
For waste oil, Sherri reported that last year, we had collected about 1.5-275 
gallon tanks which were transported to Mr. Paul Locke and accepted by him 
free of charge. Greg Rule stated that he has 2 local sources (Weare and a 
Dunbarton resident) that accept 50 gallon barrels without a fee. It was decided 
that Greg will contact the town of Dunbarton and his contacts and Sherri will 
contact Paul Locke. Greg and Sherri will then decide on the best available 
option for coordinating tanks, transport and disposal of waste oil.  
 
For electronics, Sherri will contact our vendor, American Retroworks Inc. 2 weeks 
prior to HHWD to confirm. The updated price list is posted on the town website. 
As an alternative to HHWD, Deb mentioned that Best Buy will accept computers 
for recycling and they treat the computer to ensure private information is 
removed. 
 
 
 

There was a discussion regarding volunteers to assist on HHWD. Members will 
encourage friends/family to participate.  
 
Sherri reported that she updated the contract with our vendor for HHWD, NH 
Recycles, and forwarded it to town manager, David Stack. Once he signs it, she 
will forward it to NH Recycles.  
 
Assignment of jobs: 
●​ Deb will post on our Facebook page and submit an article to the Bow 
Times. Deb will drop off flyers around town including the municipal 
building, Bow Rec Building and library. Flyers include education on HHWD, 
disposal of paint, and the impact of recyclables on the environment.  
●​ Beth will submit HHWD information to the Concord Monitor Town Crier and 
arrange posting of the banner about 1 month prior to HHWD. 
●​ Greg will bring 1-2 wagons to HHWD to assist with transport of items.  
●​ Sherri will ask Taj to arrange for a lined dumpster from Casella for trash 
from HHWD as well as a container to recycle cardboard boxes.  
●​ Sherri will ask Heath to arrange use of the town’s electronic sign for 2 
weeks prior to HHWD and for schools to advertise on the school sign and 
in the school newsletter.  
●​ Sherri will place 10 lawn signs around town (after the current primary signs 
are gone) and coordinate signs to assist with traffic on HHWD. 
 
7.    Trex Program: Plastic bag and Film Collection 
The program and collection have been working well. Given the hassle and 
recent changes to the rewards program, we are not currently weighing and 
uploading pictures of weights for now since we have already received our 
allotted annual gift. We will plan to restart again in April 2027 when we can 
begin working towards our next annual $100 gift.  
  
8.​
HELPSY 
Helpsy collected 430 pounds in April-June and 559 pounds so far in the 
July-September period. 
 
9.     Other business 
Bow’s volunteer appreciation BBQ is September 10th at the Old Town Hall. All 
committee members are encouraged to attend. 
 
 

 
Sherri reported she will attend the Joint Meeting with the Board of Selectmen 
and Town Committee which will now be held on Tuesday, October 13th at 5:00 
pm in Meeting Room A. Sherri will attend and other members are invited to 
attend as well.   
 
Next Committee meeting is October 6, 2026.  
 
Meeting adjourned 8:39 p.m. 
 
Respectfully Submitted,  
 
Irene Hou