2024 – 2025 Trash & Recycling Discussion

2024 – 2025 Trash & Recycling Discussion

The Trash & Recycling Committee has been meeting monthly to explore waste reduction measures and to develop key recommendations for when the Town goes out to bid for a new trash contract in two years. Most recently, they discussed the potential of transitioning to an automated trash pickup system with our current hauler, Waste Management. This system could offer some immediate savings and may also include the supply of carts for residents.

Introducing carts would bring several benefits. Financially, the hauler would experience savings since drivers would no longer need to exit the truck, improving overall efficiency. Aesthetically, carts would create a uniform look along the street, and they would help prevent trash and recycling from blowing around on windy days.

The Trash & Recycling Committee discussed both the environmental and fiscal impacts of trash tonnage. Currently, the Town is charged a fixed fee for the hauling of trash and recycling, in addition to a tipping fee. A tipping fee is the cost the Town pays to dispose of trash at a landfill or transfer station. The current tipping fee is $95 per ton, and, in the current contract, it will increase to $103 per ton in Fiscal Year 2026. This fee is in line with those charged by surrounding communities.

The tipping fee is then multiplied by the tonnage of trash collected in the Town, which fluctuates throughout the year. For example, during the holiday season, the amount of waste typically increases as homeowners generate more trash. As a result, controlling the tonnage of waste directly impacts the Town’s budget.

In addition to the fiscal concern, there are environmental issues to consider. Furthermore, finding suitable locations for waste disposal is becoming more challenging. Therefore, managing trash tonnage is crucial not only for budgetary reasons but also for environmental sustainability.

Survey Results

A survey was conducted to gather feedback from residents regarding their current trash and recycling habits, as well as their opinions on proposed changes to the system. The survey launched on December 16th and closed on January 31st. At its close, there were 732 responses.

Current Trash and Recycling Habits:

• The majority of respondents use 64-gallon trash and recycling carts.
• Most households set out one or two trash carts per week.
• Many respondents report that their trash carts are often too full.
• A significant number of respondents do not compost food waste.

Opinions on Proposed Changes:

• The proposed 35-gallon trash cart and 96-gallon recycling cart are generally viewed as insufficient by most respondents.
• Many are opposed to paying additional fees for extra trash carts.
• There is a strong preference for maintaining or increasing the current trash cart size, at least to 64 gallons.
• Some respondents suggested that trash cart size should be based on household size, with larger families needing larger carts.
• Concerns were raised about the practicality of moving large carts, particularly for older residents or those with long driveways.

Likelihood to Reduce Trash Output:

• A majority of respondents are unlikely to reduce their trash output further, citing that they already recycle and compost as much as possible.
• Some expressed concerns that reducing trash cart size could lead to illegal dumping or other issues.

Additional Comments:

• Many respondents emphasized the need for better education on recycling and composting.
• Suggestions were made for town-wide composting programs and more detailed recycling guidelines.
• Several respondents mentioned that they are already paying high taxes and do not want additional fees for trash services.

Overall Summary. The survey results suggest that while residents are open to improving recycling and composting efforts, they are largely opposed to reducing the size of trash carts or paying additional fees for extra trash capacity.