Recycling expansion

Shortly after being sworn into his first term as an Alderman in January, 1992, Ken was contacted by Newton residents concerned that the City's recycling program only accepted plastics (1) and (2), forcing other types of recyclable plastic to be thrown out with trash.

When Ken discussed the problem with then-Mayor Ted Mann, the Mayor asked Ken to negotiate with City contractors to get them to accept all types of recyclable plastic. Ken met with them and secured their agreement to accept all numbered plastics at no cost to the City.

In addition to the obvious environmental benefits of this change, the City has benefited from a significant reduction in the amount of trash that must be collected and burned, which we pay for on a per-ton basis.