New Bedford’s Upcoming Free Community Recycling Event

Is there a lot of excess paper or electronic devices in your home that you don't know how to get rid of? First Citizens' Federal Credit Union is coming to your aid.

The credit union is holding a free Community Recycling Event on Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parking lot across the street from its North End branch at 570 North Front Street in New Bedford.

Chief of Staff Linda Cosme and Director of Marketing and Community Connection Melanie Howell visited Townsquare Sunday this week to talk about the event.

The credit union has been doing shredding events for the past five years. It has enlisted the services of Great White Shred to provide a mobile shredder on May 18 so residents can dispose of old tax records, bank statements and more at no charge. Note, there is a five-box limit.

Disposing of old electronics can be hard and expensive.

"Walk up and down the streets of New Bedford and you can see old TVs and other electronics sitting there," Howell said. "People don't know what to do with them."

Junkluggers will be present on May 18 to take away your old phones, TVs, air conditioners, computers and other electronic items free of charge.

Other attractions include tours of a New Bedford Fire Department engine and a visit with Sparky, the department's mascot. Police officers will be on hand to offer car seat checks, plus party characters by Tabby, information on how you can help local cats in need, and music and giveaways with Fun 107.

First Citizens' FCU is asking that those coming to the recycling event bring with them some non-perishable food items that will go directly to a local food pantry.

"The intent is to help the entire community in any way that we can," Cosme said. "We have a plan to donate the non-perishable food items to the food pantry at St. Anthony of Padua Church. We hope to collect as much food as we can to help support residents in that area."

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