The Wareham Recycling Center wastes no time helping the town
Even in the blistering cold, Amanda Cobb and Jennifer Gady still show up. Photos by Brandy Muz
The paint shed which takes latex paint and operates as a warming hut for volunteers during the cold.
The swap shed that holds household items. 
Books on books on books available in the book shed.
The large recycling bins that get hauled away.
Even in the blistering cold, Amanda Cobb and Jennifer Gady still show up. Photos by Brandy Muz
The paint shed which takes latex paint and operates as a warming hut for volunteers during the cold.
The swap shed that holds household items.
Books on books on books available in the book shed.
The large recycling bins that get hauled away.
Situated in its own little corner of Wareham, the Wareham Recycling Center is volunteer run, lending a hand to the environment and making the town cleaner every day it’s open.
What began as a passion project in the 90s has blossomed into a program that diverts over 30 tons of waste from landfills each year. With some volunteers dedicating over 20 years to the center, there's something to be said about the spot at the end of Plymouth Road.
Volunteers Jennifer Gady and Amanda Cobb are just two of many who put in the work sorting and organizing the site for its many visitors. With no main building, the property is divided up by miscellaneous trailers, sheds and shacks.
"We're crazy," Cobb said when asked what made her stay.
"We're dedicated," she continued. "We're passionate about doing the right thing to save the environment."
The center’s goal is to try to redirect as much material as possible from ending up in landfills, according to Cobb. Beyond the informal location, the variety of items accepted sets the spot apart from regular transfer stations and curbside waste pick up services.
With a book shed full of every James Patterson novel guests can dream of and a swap shed of items up for grabs, there's much more to the recycling center than meets the eye.
Sharps, plastic bags, bottles, electronics, tires, fluorescent bulbs and so much more are taken by staff and sent away to be sorted by a nearby sorting facility. Volunteers on site make sure those dropping items off don't include non-recyclables.
"We found a used urinal in the swap shed once," said Gady.
While the volunteers don't get paid, that doesn't mean the center is without monetary needs. Funded just by grants from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, money from returnable bottles and cans, fees from recyclable items and cash donations, it can be tough to operate the space.
"We get as much as we can for free because we're not funded by the town," Cobb said. "We fund ourselves with the grants which Jenn, the recycling committee and I work very hard on getting."
Through all the plastics, metals and miscellaneous items the center pushes to educate its patrons. With alternative spots in mind for the materials not accepted, the volunteers like to set their guests up for success.
"Just because it doesn't go in the trash doesn't mean it goes in the recycling. We're trying to offer guidance to people," Cobb said.
The center offers various events throughout the year like paper shredding days and styrofoam collection days to accept a variety of items. Current hours of operation are Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon.
Anyone can reach out to with questions at Warehamrecycling@gmail.com and see the center’s Facebook page for updates, closes and special events. Many answers to questions can be found on the town website.
