Members Sought for City of Cambridge Recycling Advisory Committee

Do you or does someone you know have a passion for recycling, food waste diversion, reuse, and waste reduction programs? Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking Cambridge residents, business owners, property managers and local professionals interested in serving on the Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) for a 3-year term beginning January 2026.

Applications can be submitted to the City Manager's Office using the City's online application system: www.cambridgema.gov/apply . The deadline to submit an application is November 30, 2025.

What is the Recycling Advisory Committee?
The RAC is a volunteer committee which provides advice, recommendations, and assistance to the Department of Public Works (DPW) regarding services the City provides for recycling, food waste diversion, the Recycle Center, textiles recovery, and other programs. The City provides recycling and food waste collection services to more than 39,000 households and 88 small businesses.

The RAC plays a critical role in advising and assisting the City on how to achieve its goal to reduce trash 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050 (with 2008 as a baseline). As of 2024, the city has reduced trash by 36%.

The RAC also helps the City gain better insight into how residents perceive DPW programs and how to improve outreach and education, particularly to populations that may be underserved. Furthermore, the RAC has taken a prominent role in advising and assisting in implementing both Zero Waste Master Plan 1.0 and Zero Waste Master Plan 2.0, which was adopted by City Council in June 2025.

The Committee has been active for more than 30 years and consists of at least nine members. Monthly meetings are typically held the second Wednesday of the month from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Members serve a three-year term and are expected to attend most meetings. The City seeks members that represent local businesses and property managers, Cambridge residents, users of the Recycling Center, universities, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders who are affected by waste policies.

RAC Member Duties Include:

• Advise the City on programs, outreach materials, and more;
• Participate in creating committee direction and implementation of ideas;
• Take a leadership role in projects, such as doing research, organizing, and attending events, and advocacy;
• Research different approaches to communication, education, and best practices for recycling, food waste diversion, reuse, and waste reduction programs;
• Disseminate outreach materials and help educate the community;
• Participate in at least 2-3 events, such as Danehy Park Family Day, Finished Compost giveaway, Fresh Pond Day, May Fair, or block parties.

Helpful Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Marketing
• Outreach and community engagement
• Article writing for newspapers or blogs to promote recycling
• Project Management
• Familiarity with the Cambridge Public Schools or DPW Recycle Center

The City is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about the committee's work, please consider attending an upcoming virtual RAC meeting on November 12 at 8 a.m., via Zoom. For more information, contact Michael Orr, Recycling Director, at 617-349-4815 or [email protected]. To view meeting Minutes from previous meetings visit www.CambridgeMA.Gov/Services/Recycling .

Applications can be submitted to the City Manager's Office using the city's online application system at www.cambridgema.gov/apply . A cover letter, resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager's Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.