Recycling

The Norwood Lake Association Jim McFaddin Memorial Recycling Center was established on November 7, 1990. The Center is open each Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Each week it serves over 250 local residents who dispose over 75% of their household waste at no charge to them or local taxpayers. The Lake Association spent about $2,500 per year to get the operation established, but now it breaks even or creates a small profit. No wages are paid since NLA volunteers operate the center. The Recycling Center accepts all Metal, Plastics #1-7, Cardboard and Paper, Bottle Glass (No Windowpane or Plate Glass) and Returnable Cans and Bottles.

The concept of a recycling center project was suggested to the Norwood Lake Association board by Jim McFaddin, a St. Lawrence County legislator. Since New York State’s closing of the local town dump, he was struggling with the problem of what the county residents were to do with their garbage. He also recognized the need to establish a place to deposit it at little or no cost. Assisting people with source separation required volunteers to monitor and encourage people to participate and to ensure clean and reusable recyclables. Elaine and Glen Perry played a major role in the operation, in establishing rules and getting the public to comply. The profits from the Norwood Lake Regatta provided the early operation costs. Many volunteers continue today, and the number of customers increased from 35 to over 250 weekly. A garbage collection was added in 1995 that allows people to dispose of nearly all of their household waste. MJT Trash is on site every Saturday and the charge by the item, or bag.

Other volunteers making major contributions John Murray (Manager), Larry Averill (Assistant Manager), Don Murray, Andy French, Steve Bartlett. We have various volunteers that fill in as needed Mike Stevens, Bill Grant, Pat Brady, & Ron Johnson. Over the years many other volunteers have dedicated many hours, and they are Harold Raymonda, Jim Tyler, Jerry Reed, Dave St.Pier, Matt Mott, Pete LePage, Doreen LaVine, Chuck and Patty McGinnis, Pat Brady, Chuck Morgan. Other towns and villages have visited and set up similar operation. Some of these operations are presently in use. Volunteers are often told by the public that they would be lost without the service and often bring baked goods to the volunteers to show their appreciation.

The Norwood Recycling Center was the recipient of the 1998 Century 21 award for outstanding community service.