Bottle Redemption Center Opens in North Adams
 A new bottle redemption center opened Tuesday on Mass. Avenue. Top, Joseph Cantoni, left, poses with workers Justin McCarthy, Laura LaCosse and Arthur Mongeau. Behind them are owner David Moresi and office manager Carolyn Meaney. |
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The North Adams Container Redemption Center will accept aluminum juice and iced tea containers and plastic water bottles along with deposit cans and bottles.
"We think there's a market for this," said owner David Moresi, who purchased the former Ravel Technologies building from Bard Properties Corp. "There are no redemption centers in North Adams or Williamstown. ... Plus, we're stressing the green component [by taking recyclables]."
If the state ever changes its bottle redemption laws — the governor supports expanding it to juices and sports drinks — the center will be prepared.
The site is conveniently located between Williamstown and North Adams, Moresi said, with easy access and parking.
The building has been renovated by Moresi & Associates and now houses the company's offices, space for leasing and the 600-square-foot redemption center.
The center has a new tile floor, fresh white walls and bright green moldings around the doors and windows. Behind the customer counter is a sorting area and loading dock for bottle pickups.
Berkshire Family and Individual Resources has been contracted to operate the center. That's providing jobs for participants in BFAIR's Arcadia Employment Services, a specialized employment agency for the disabled.BFAIR had operated a redemption center in the former Registry of Motor Vehicle building on Curran Highway. Center manager Joseph Cantoni said the site was not as suitable as the new location.
Residents can help make the process go faster by separating brands as much as possible and having a count ahead, said Cantoni, although the staff is ready sort and count. Cans and bottles should also be clean and rinsed out.
"We're not a trash operation," stressed Moresi.
In addition to helping conserve through recycling, residents can help out their favorite charities and organizations by donating deposits. Nonprofits can have redemption accounts set up at the center; each time their donations reach $50, they'll be sent a check. Organizations with accounts will have their names posted on the center's wall.
The redemption center's hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 to 3, Saturdays from 9 to 2 and closed Mondays.
