Recycling is a step in the right direction but it’s not enough.  There is still too much plastic and other packaging headed for landfill or incinerators.  Arlington has made important strides towards decreasing our collective trash but there’s still more to be done.  Much more!

Two relatively new local entrepreneurial initiatives can help the town improve resource efficiency.  “Yes!” was started by Arlington resident, Ceilidh (pronounced “Kay-lee”) Yurenka. Her original vision was for a pop-up inside ArtBeat in Capitol Square that would have launched last year, but the pandemic intervened.  When ArtBeat closed permanently last August, the space became Greater Goods Collective, a retail space offering handmade, intentionally selected items that support independent artisans, especially items made by women locally and abroad.  Yes! occupies about a third of the floor space within Greater Goods offering a range of zero-waste or low-waste products in minimal packaging including consumable items for the kitchen, bath and laundry.  For example, the foaming tablets simply mix with water in an existing hand-soap dispenser, so there will never be a need to buy another container.  Dish soap is sold in blocks; laundry detergent is available in strips packaged in compostable envelopes. Yes! sells alternatives to many disposable products such as Last Swab, a washable Q-tip that will replace at least 1,000 conventional cotton swabs, as well as non-consumables made from wood and other reusable materials—a great place to shop for gifts.

Erin Bumgarner, another Arlington resident, occupies a corner of Yes! where she offers refills of common household purchases through her “Joyful Market and Refillery” initiative. She’ll refill empty shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and hand soap bottles with liquids from bulk containers off-site and arrange for customers to pick up the purchases at Yes! 

Greater Goods and Yes! can admit three people at a time inside, but if customers plan ahead, curbside pick-up is available.  For hours and product lists visit their websites: https://www.yesplasticfree.com and https://joymarket.store

For Arlington residents inclined to go further afield, Cleenland in Cambridge offers a long menu of products sold in bulk from shampoo to bug spray, body lotion to oxygen bleach.  They also stock dry goods from recycled materials such as garbage bags, tissues, and toilet paper. Cleenland also sells many non-consumables as well such as tote bags, reusable takeout utensils, sponges, and much more.  Their menu of items is updated regularly on their website at: https://www.cleenland.com/.  They sell empty containers or customers can bring their own!

Arlington should now progress beyond recycle to less waste and more reuse.  There are new local options to help accomplish this while, at the same time, supporting local entrepreneurs.  It’s a win-win!

Arlington DPW supports wastes prevention, reuse, and repair in addition to recycling and composting. We are on the lookout for suggestions from our residents.  More ideas and answers to common waste reduction questions at arlingtonma.gov/recycle.