Limestone chamber, MSSM students join for successful recycling event

by Chris Bouchard
7 years ago
Limestone's first electronics recycling drive resulted in members of the town's Maine School of Science and Mathematics and Chamber of Commerce filling 22 large containers with discarded electronic devices. Volunteers for the Oct. 21 event are, from left, MSSM Student Ethan Clark, MSSM Public Relations official Ryan McDonald, Limestone Economic Development Coordinator Dennis McCartney, and MSSM students Jialan Deal and Ethan Winters. (Christopher Bouchard)

LIMESTONE, Maine — Some MSSM students had little time to rest on Saturday, Oct. 21, as the Limestone Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the school for an electronics recycling event. 

Held at the far end of Burleigh Street, the event lasted four hours and participants filled up 22 large containers with electronic devices ranging from televisions and printers, to game consoles, cellphones, computers, and mercury thermostats.

Sponsored by Electronics End, LLC in Brewer, the event started as a way to get rid of old electronics from the town office’s basement, but quickly turned into a town wide project.

Limestone Economic Development Coordinator Dennis McCartney said the event is one of many the town is starting with the Maine School of Science and Mathematics.

“We are trying to do a lot more with MSSM and the town together,” McCartney said. “They’ve already helped with a couple projects, and will be helping with everything from the new town website to decorating trees during Christmas.”

McCartney was joined by MSSM Public Relations official Ryan McDonald and students Ethan Clark, Jialan Deal, and Ethan Winters.

Winters, a second year student, said he volunteered after being asked via email.

“We have an organization called Key Club at MSSM,” Winters said. “They were short on volunteers for this, and sent an email asking for help and I just responded saying I’d be able to help today.”

Winters comes from southern Maine, and is focusing on mathematics at MSSM.

“I’m mostly interested in pure mathematics,” Winters said, adding that he will “definitely” seek out college education in the field.

After the event, McCartney said via email that the electronics drive was a big success, and that the town will be making it a yearly event.