Community Corner
Waverley Redemption Center Opens in Downtown Waltham
Weston among area communities to benefit from facility relocation.
The Waverley Redemption Center (WRC), a staple in community recycling for a quarter century, moved this week from its longtime home on the campus of the Fernald Development Center to a more central downtown Waltham location at 23 Summer Ave.
“We’re very excited to be involved with the WRC and equally excited to be in downtown Waltham,” said Nancy Silver-Hargreaves, chief executive officer of the non-profit WCI (Work, Community, Independence), which is taking over operations of WRC. “We think this business will be better than ever.”
The WRC opened in 1987, before recycling was a household word and chore. Operated by the Fernald League Opportunity Workshop (FLOW), its focus from day one was to reduce the number of bottles and cans that ended up in the trash and eventually in landfills. Success was quick, as the WRC recycled 200,000 bottles and cans in its first year. Within 10 years, that number grew to nearly four million bottles and cans collected each year. With increased customers, the staff increased as well. Starting with only two employees in 1987, more than 25 will be working at the new headquarters.
“It will be so much easier for people to get to this new redemption center,” Silver-Hargreaves said. “Our customers come from all over the area. We have many who come from Watertown, Belmont, Lexington, Arlington, Newton and Weston, and getting in and out will be much faster for our customers.”
Unlike the redemption machines at most major supermarkets, the WRC does not limit the amount of glass that can be recycled and it accepts nearly all brands of soda and beer.
WCI, a Waltham-based non-profit that provides supports and services for individuals living with developmental and intellectual disabilities, will oversee all administrative and financial duties of the WRC.
Over the years, the WRC has employed hundreds of individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Building upon Massachusetts’ focus of “Community First,” these individuals earn a competitive salary, live in the area and become a part of the fabric of their community.
