Glen Jenkins
(March, 2009)
(Taken from The Times, November 13, 2008)
Recycling gives retirees a can-do attitude
The advent of a recycling program at the Hamlet Village retirement community in Chagrin Falls is a "historic moment," according to resident Glen Jenkins, who spearheaded the effort.
Ms. Jenkins, who has lived at Hamlet since 2005, along with 25 other residents, took charge of convincing management that recycling would help the community and the environment.
"Most of us came out here from communities that were recycling," the former Highland Heights resident said.
She said recycling had not been a tradition at Hamlet because of longtime agreements and service contract for such complexes. "They had to hire their own trash disposal," Ms. Jenkins said.
Over the summer, residents formed a recycling committee and were persistent in their efforts. They brought in experts from the county level to make a presentation to Hamlet administration. It was a matter of "getting the right people together," Ms. Jenkins said. "I felt that we didn't know enough about recycling in Hamlet and why it had never occurred."
Hamlet management had been resistant to the idea of recycling due to the belief that it would take a lot of extra manpower to handle it for the 250 independent apartment residents, she said.
A presentation by Diane Bickett, of the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, helped a great deal, Ms. Jenkins said. "It was so wonderful, because the administration, including Hamlet President Marc Benson and Executive Director John Eberle, were there to listen," she said. "They toured the grounds and immediately went into action after that."
Hamlet has signed a contract with Waste Management. Ms. Jenkins said Hamlet is a "pioneer" with the recent effort. "I just think it's the only thing to do to help the environment," she said of the importance of recycling. It also represents a cost savings to Hamlet," she said.
Hamlet residents took part in their first collection last week. A blue recycling bag for all paper products was delivered to each resident in every apartment and house.
Traditionally, Ms. Jenkins said, residents would put out all their waste twice a week for pickup. Now, on the Monday collection, residents can put newspapers and paper products that are recyclables in their bags, she said.
