To the editor:

The Town of Warren has been working diligently over the last 18 months to address the environmental impacts and ever-increasing cost of waste disposal. Several strategies have been implemented to contain costs and improve recycling, and the people of Warren have been wonderful partners in this process. 

To this end, the town is pleased to announce a new partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island (BBBS). In April, BBBS installed clothing donation bins at several locations in town, including the Transfer Station (27 Birch Swamp Road), Fire Station #3 (15 Vernon St.) and Fire Station #6 (99 Touisset Road). These bins are available for the donation of bagged clothing, shoes and other soft fabrics (towels, sheets, etc). Stains and tears are fine; just no wet or moldy items please. BBBS is also available for household pickup and more information can be found on their website at bigsri.org/donateri.

From January through March of this year, BBBS stopped at 61 households in Warren and collected 2,560 pounds of clothing. On April 21 alone, BBBS conducted 32 stops in town and collected 1,470 pounds of clothing. That is 57 percent of what the town did in three months in a single day! Later in the same week, BBBS collected 140 pounds of clothing at the Fire Station #3 in one day.

This is all material that will be diverted from our waste stream, saving taxpayers the costs associated with handling, transporting and dumping this material at the central landfill in Johnston (a landfill that is nearing its capacity). 

As an additional benefit, BBBS shares the proceeds from the donations with the town.  The town’s portion will be deposited into the Firefighters’ Relief Fund, which exists to assist families in need after a household fire or other disastrous event.  If you would prefer that your donations go to the Women’s Resource Center, there is also a bin available at their offices located at 624 Main St. 

I am grateful every day for the opportunity to work for this beautiful town and I look forward to continuing on the path to a greener, leaner Warren.   

Kate Michaud

Main Street

Ms. Michaud is the Warren Town Manager. Contact her at kmichaud@townofwarren-ri.gov.