SANDWICH – The town Department of Public Works continues to pile up the savings three years into its pay-as-you-throw program for residential trash.
According to figures released by Waste Zero, the town’s consultant on the program, and the department, the town has reduced its solid waste by 48 percent, doubled its recycling rate and saved $426,000 in the three years.
“I guess three years is proof that it’s working,” Public Works Director Paul Tilton said.
Reducing solid waste and increasing recycling are important because the town’s fees to take trash to Covanta SEMASS, the waste-to-energy plant in Rochester, are about to go up. The town has signed a new contract to pay $65 per ton, instead of $37 per ton, when the contract expires at the end of 2014.
The pay-as-you-throw program has exceeded the town’s expectations, Tilton said.
“While reluctant to accept PAYT at first, the public has embraced the program and continues to realize the benefits to the town of Sandwich and themselves,” he said. “The residents are making fewer trips to the transfer station, reducing their trash, and increasing their recycling. This effort by the public will go a long way to help offset future tipping fee increases starting in 2015. This will, in turn, help keep sticker and bag fees at a minimum.”
Two other Cape towns – Brewster and Wellfleet – have followed Sandwich’s lead.
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