PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Colonial Theater, Pittsfield Police and Fire Stations, Proprietor's Lodge, Berkshire Bank, Greylock Credit Union and dozens of more businesses rely on Berkshire County Arc's Recycling Center – The Green Redeem – to pick up their bottles and cans weekly.

 

The Green Redeem provides recycle bins for area businesses, and empties the bins as often as the business requests.

 

"The goal here is to provide employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities," said Maryann Hyatt, BCArc's President & CEO.  "The individuals earn a salary, paid at market rate, they learn job skills, they engage with the community, and they gain a sense of pride. They also love getting a paycheck every week, like almost everyone does. The more cans and bottles we can collect, the more people we can hire. We hope to keep growing at a rapid pace."

 

Along with area businesses, the Center is partnering with the City of Dalton to host a recycling container – donated by Casella Waste Systems -- at its transfer station. The Green Redeem hopes to duplicate this model with other area towns.

 

Once picked up, the redeemable bottles and cans are brought to the Green Redeem Operating Center at 20 Taconic Park Drive, where they are cleaned, sorted and picked up by area distributors.

 

If interested in participating, and supporting the program, contact the general manager JG Ivy at jivy@bcarc.org, or 413- 443-9071.