After 22 years, Peterborough Recycling Center head Scott Bradford is leaving.
“I’m going to miss the recycling center,” Bradford said, adding that he felt sad to be going. He said he would be staying in the solid waste business, although it won’t be quite the same.
Before he was in Peterborough, Bradford managed the Greenfield Recycling Center for 12 years, meaning that he has been in this field since he was 18.
“I’m sorry to see him go, and wish him well,” said Seth MacLean, director of the Peterborough Department of Public Works, which oversees the recycling center. MacLean added that the town has begun the process of seeking a replacement for the position.
Bradford said he felt that his time at the Peterborough Recycling Center was well-spent, and he knew he will be leaving a good foundation behind him. He recalled his work in sprucing up the recycling center by putting in a lawn and gardens, work that received awards for downtown beautification from the New Hampshire Arbors Association.
“Every time we have friends and families visit,” Bradford said, referring to his family members, “we always bring them here, because we’re really proud of our recycling center, and we want to show it off.”
Bradford said he has also seen a lot of change in the industry over the years, including the technology used to break down recycled material and what types of materials can be accepted.
“There’s been a huge amount of growth,” he said. “The more things you can recycle, the more things stay out of the landfill.”
Bradford said one of the most-important parts of his position is educating residents and the public about what types of plastics can be recycled and which ones are advertised as recyclable without that actually being the case.
“I look at that as part of my job, to keep up to date with that,” he said. “To let the public know what the truth is, and what is recyclable and what is not recyclable because it not only helps them at home, with separation, but they may change their purchasing habits at stores.”
Bradford said it was most important that he say goodbye to these residents of Peterborough.
“I’m really going to miss working for the taxpayers of Peterborough,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of support, a lot of praise, a lot of compliments, from the residents of Peterborough for the past 22 years, and that’s what keeps you going. I want to thank them for their support and their willingness to recycle.”