City Services

City to Pilot Curbside Food Composting and Textile Recycling Programs, Extend Residential Yard Waste Collection

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On Wednesday, the city announced a wide-ranging plan with an eventual goal of having Boston be a zero waste city. The new plan includes launching a food scrap curbside composting program, extending residential yard waste options, increasing environmental education and more. "By implementing Boston's first zero waste plan, we will be a healthier and greener city for future generations to come," said District 6 City Councilor Matt O'Malley, Chairman of the Council's Environment, Sustainability and Parks Committee. "I am proud to have spearheaded the Council's efforts to institute curbside composting and textile recycling programs in the city of Boston and I look forward to seeing these programs develop even further." O'Malley added that expanding Boston's composting program will improve Boston's recycling rate, reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, while working toward carbon neutrality.

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Police and Fire

Two Shot Dead in Jamaica Plain Near Mozart Street

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Two men were shot and killed on Monday night in Jamaica Plain in the area of Mozart and Bolster streets. Boston Police responded to the area around 10 pm and found one victim shot dead, and another victim who was pronounced dead later at a hospital, reported the Boston Globe. According to a tweet from District 6 City Councilor Matt O'Malley, the shootings were not random. The victims appeared to be in their late 20s or 30s, said the Globe. A part of Mozart Street was closed to vehicular traffic as an investigation ensued that included a K-9 unit in the outside crime scene.

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City Services

O’Malley Proposes Curbside Textile Recycling

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Jamaica Plain's City Councilor Matt O'Malley has called for a hearing to determine the feasibility of a textile recycling program in Boston. “Curbside textile recycling is another opportunity of sound environmental policy that can generate revenue for the city of Boston. The city of Boston can reduce our waste stream, greenhouse gas emissions and receive payment for the value of the material,” said O'Malley to Jamaica Plain News. Ever the environmental politician of Boston, O'Malley points out that 40 Massachusetts municipalities, including Brookline, Somerville and Natick have implemented curbside textile recycling. Those programs have diverted more than 2.2 million pounds from their waste stream.

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Boston City Council

Free Menstrual Products in Public Buildings Proposed By Councilors O’Malley and Edwards

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Two Boston City Councilors have proposed that the city provide free menstrual products in Boston Public Schools, Boston Public Libraries, BCYF Community Centers, and in city buildings. An estimated 100 million high school students missed school because of a lack of menstrual products, according to an UNESCO report. In Boston, 78 percent of students come from low-income households and an estimated 16.5 percent of Boston's population lives in poverty. But councilors District 1 City Councilor Lydia Edwards and Jamaica Plain's City Councilor Matt O'Malley are looking to make sure more people have access to menstrual products. Having access to menstrual products will help people not miss school, not miss work, and avoid any other health, social or professional challenges that result from a lack of availability.

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Environment

Matt O’Malley is Boston’s Environmental City Councilor

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Banning plastic bags, protecting wetlands, fighting gas leaks, water-filling stations, sidewalk composting and net zero carbon buildings. There isn’t a Boston City Councilor who can lay claim to as many environmental legislative accomplishments and initiatives as Matt O’Malley. O’Malley’s environmentally friendly legislation started during his first year on the council when he literally went after paychecks. “Every other week I would get a pay stub even though I had direct pay,” said O’Malley, District 6’s City Councilor, who was first elected in 2010. “I hate paper and I hate clutter and I was raised as an environmentalist.

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