EASTHAMPTON — Starting next month, the city is installing a Red Cross textile bin at the back of the Municipal Building in an effort to keep textiles out of landfills.

Located at 50 Payson Ave. at the back of the parking lot, the bin will accept various fabrics, including clothing, footwear and linens.

The Red Cross will sort and process items to be reused or recycled, depending on their condition.

The initiative aligns with the municipality’s commitment to sustainability in attempting to become a net-zero carbon-emitting community and provides access for residents to comply with a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection statewide ban on the disposal of all textiles in the trash or landfills.

The pilot project will run for six to 12 months at the current location, which was selected by Executive Assistant Lindsi Mailler and DPW Director Greg Nuttelman. After the initial pilot period, the city will assess the feasibility of expanding the initiative to other locations.

City cadet promoted

Fifteen-year-old Roman Powers-Moran, a cadet member of the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, earned his Gen. “Hap” Arnold Achievement and was promoted to cadet airman first class at this week’s meeting at the Brigadier General Pierce Cadet Squadron, Civil Air Patrol Squadron in Amherst.

The achievement was named after five-star Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold, who in 1949 was named the country’s first general of the U.S. Air Force.

Powers-Moran, a resident of Easthampton, had his new insignia pinned by his father, Charlie Powers.

Major Steve Lauzon, the unit’s commanding officer, said in a statement that Powers-Moran not only demonstrates leadership and character, but also shows great potential to advance in the program.

The Civil Air Patrol is the civilian, volunteer auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, and one of its main missions is to encourage and foster civil aviation in community aerospace education programs.

The Brigadier General Arthur J. Pierce Cadet Squadron meets on Monday nights from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Amherst.

Riverside Industries adds four new board members

Four people have joined the board of directors at Riverside Industries, the Easthampton nonprofit that empowers people with disabilities with life skills development and employment.

The new board members began their three-year term this month, and include Tara Brewster, vice president of business development and director of philanthropy at Greenfield Savings Bank; Jeff Palm, partner and chief operating officer at Global Educators Inc. in Northampton; Melissa Peters, human resource generalist at Windsor, Connecticut-based investment services, Fiducient Advisors; and Teremar Rodriguez-Vazquez, assistant general counsel at Health New England.

Lynn Ireland, president and CEO of Riverside, said she intends to draw on the diverse personal and professional experiences of the board members as the nonprofit expands its programs and workforce to reach new clients.

“I’m especially excited to see such a talented group of volunteers join our board as we continue in this current phase of organizational growth,” Ireland said in a statement.

Melissa Pike, chairperson of the board of directors, offered thanks to Jan Carhart, Jane Curran, and Silas Kopf who have each concluded their service as members of the board.

In welcoming the new board members, Pike noted that each person brings a unique talent, skill and perspective to the table.

“With their input, we immediately add a breadth of knowledge and technical skill that will be immensely helpful as we plot Riverside’s strategic goals for the future,” Pike said in a statement.

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