By Meredith McCulloch
Two options for collecting recycling from households were presented to the Selectmen on May 31 by Town Engineer Adrienne St. John and April Delano, Business Manager, Department of Public Works.The current refuse contract with Republic Services is ending and will be renewed as of July 1.
The first option would be to continue the current recycling method of the grey bins currently in use, with all recycling materials, paper, cans, plastics etc., comingled in the bins. It would be a three-year contract
The second option would be for larger containers that can be loaded automatically like the ones currentlyused for general trash. The containers for recyclables would be 64 gallons, larger than the black 48 gallon ones for trash. The containers will be supplied free of charge to residents under a five-year contract. It was stressed that plastic bags must not be placed in the recycling containers. They cannot be sorted out by equipment and slow the process of handling recyclables.
In either case the cost of collecting recycling will higher for the town than under the current contract. The market for recycled materials has declined sharply nation-wide and the income from selling them will no longer offset the cost of collection.
Richard Reed, Town Manager stressed that participation in the recycling program is important. “It is still cheaper for the town to recycle materialsrather than put them in the trash,” he said, noting that the cost of disposal of recycling material is still less than the tipping fees for garbage. Ed McGrath, Bedford’s recycling coordinator, reported that Bedford residents recycle about 33% of their trash.
Selectman Margot Fleischman said, “I’m having a hard time paying more for the service. We need to get water-logged organics out of the waste stream through community composting.”
Selectman Mark Siegenthaler commented, “I understand the frustration with the cost, but it is best to make it more convenient and recycle as much as possible.”
The contract price for collection would vary annually and grants will be availableto offset some costs. For example,in year one, option 1 (status quo) would cost $30,000 less than option 2 (automatic collection,) but if the Town uses an automatically collected weekly program it would be eligiblefor a $9,000 per year grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for five years. The DEP has seen a 3% to 5% increase in recycling collected when municipalities moveto an automated system. A saving of $11,000 in tipping fees is anticipated. For a memo to the Selectmen about the options, see: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qz1jlfvci9lx66y/Selectmen%20FY2017%20Refuse%20and%20Recycling%20Contract%205-27-2016.pdf?dl=0
The major advantage of the second option would be the lowered costs of collection, the ability to place larger cardboard pieces in the container, and less refuse blowing around as happens with open containers. Also, it is hoped that the larger container would encourage residents to recycle more material.
The first comment from the citizens was concern about a loss of jobs (only one workman rather than two would be required.) Others were concerned about the convenience of handling and storing the larger containers. Terry Gleason of Lido Lane commented that the real goal should be to reduce waste overall.
No vote was taken at the May 31 meeting to allow time for the public to comment. The issue will appear on the June 13 agenda.
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I am all for the larger bins and we are only a household of two and never seem to have enough space. My acquaintances from other towns marvel at how small our containers are (Newton is one of those towns). I would also like to see some type of a facility on the site on Route 225 (like a shed as in Ayer) where residents can leave something that is still usable for another resident to take as it will be useful to their family, and will not find it’s way to landfill. Even one day a week or weekend a month would help both people and help keep landfill less full. I hate throwing out anything that I feel would be useful to someone else.