New London seniors recycle
A volunteer effort in recycling is gaining ground at New London Senior Center.
Four years ago, center manager Lori Schneider received 150 pounds of used plastic caps from the Ann Wege family. They had completed a recycling project at their church, and received a bench for their labor.
They in turn mentored Schneider, who was optimistic about a project for seniors that could provide benches in the community.
Schneider put the word out for seniors to collect caps, and during the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 1,500 pounds of caps were accumulated.
When Covid-19 restrictions lowered in 2022, sorting of the caps began. Volunteers were taught to look for dirt, oil and metal that may be mixed in with the plastic bottle caps and lids.
Lions, Shamrock Club sponsor benches
After the sorting was finished, New London Lions and the Shamrock Club of New Dublin agreed to sponsor the benches.
Thrivent Action Team funds were used for gas and lodging, as the caps had to travel eight hours to Green Tree Plastics in Evansville, Indiana. Wolf River Art League’s paint trailer housed the caps on the trek, and Lori and Randy Schneider drove a New London city truck for the trip.
When the caps are dropped off, pre-ordered benches are loaded for the return trip. In this first phase, four red benches were placed at New London Jaycees Dog Park.
Two green benches were placed in front and back of the Washington Center.
The benches are heavy, which deters theft, and are virtually indestructible, with no maintenance needed. They can withstand harsh Wisconsin weather.
“Kristine Heise, the environmental manager at Tyson, came on board in 2023 to help me with sorting days and the logistics for a second trip to Evansville, Indiana,” said Schneider. “Kristine contacted Hilker Trucking, who in turn volunteered to drive our caps to Indiana.”
“We sorted two days a month in January, February, March and April, with a total of 228 volunteer hours and 26 volunteers for phase two.”
New London’s ThedaCare Foundation received a grant application from New London Park and Rec Director Ginger Sowle and donated $3,100 to continue the recycling efforts.
Some donations were used in phase two to purchase four 6-foot-long benches for the Hatten Stadium dugouts. The old benches, made of wood, had been repaired and repainted several times over many decades, according to Ted Christian, city of New London buildings superintendent.
Remaining funds from ThedaCare Foundation will be used in phase three, either to purchase benches or to cover transportation costs.
“We like to give to the schools and the overall community,” said Schneider. “One bench went to Lincoln School this year, and in phase three, we are talking to other schools to see what they need.”
The Senior Center is always appreciative of volunteers and encourage folks to spend a few hours helping out. The last sorting days for 2023 are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 24-25. at New London Senior Center, 600 W. Washington St.
For more information, call Lori Schneider at 920-982-8522. Those who are interested in saving caps should stop by for a list of acceptable caps, as not all caps can be recycled.