PAYT June 29 Recommendations

RECOMMENDATIONS TO EXPAND TRANSFER STATION RECYCLING
Updated June 29, 2005

Killingworth's Pay As You Throw Committee (PAYT) is recommending immediate expansion of recycling at the town Transfer Station. These recommendations are in response to residents' requests on PAYT surveys and projected initial savings estimated at 30 thousand dollars annually in Transfer Station expenditures.

The Transfer Station has three compactors. The third unit remains unused. By utilizing this third compactor for cardboard, the Transfer Station could handle 2 to 3 times as much cardboard in one collection bin. This would prevent early closing of the cardboard recycling on busy Saturdays. The town would also be able to cut in half the number of costly truck shipments to the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) in Essex, where Killingworth waste is processed. By expanding cardboard recycling capacity, the town Transfer Station should be able to accept all residents' cardboard for recycling, rather than continue to experience lack of capacity. When that happens, the town is forced to dispose of cardboard along with more expensively processed mixed solid waste (MSW) at $ 70 a ton rather than a fraction of that for recycled cardboard.

By moving cardboard disposal to the compactor, the Transfer Station would have an available collection bin for "mixed paper recycling." The waste facility could then receive magazines, catalogues, phone books, hardcover and paperback books, cereal boxes, beer cartons, junk mail, notebooks and non-corrugated cardboard, not currently accepted for recycling. All of these items are now processed at the most expensive $ 70 per ton handling fee along with mixed solid waste (MSW).

By accepting "mixed paper recycling," Killingworth would remove many tons of waste processed at the more expensive $ 70 a ton fee. Instead the town would be paid $ 40 a ton for the mixed paper by a local contractor. Overall Killingworth would save $ 110 a ton. PAYT estimates up to 6 tons of mixed paper could be removed from the town's waste volume each week as residents separate refuse and increase recycling.

PAYT says these proposed changes will not result in any added costs to the town. The committee has also found that neither traffic flow nor operations would be adversely impacted and that these improvements could be instituted immediately.

PAYT has researched and presented contingency plans should the main compactor become inoperable on a busy Saturday morning at 10am, as questioned by the Town Highway Foreman. The question of what to do with 10 tons of mixed solid waste (MSW) has been addressed by PAYT:

The second compactor holds 6 to 7 tons of MSW
An available and empty bulky waste bin holds up to 2 tons of MSW
A third compactor half full of cardboard accommodates remaining MSW
All MSW would therefore be collected along with cardboard
Residents would be asked to hold cardboard, until the next visit

Selectmen have voted to approve the PAYT recommendation for "white paper" recycling. The collection bin is on the left as you approach the Transfer Station exit. This "White Paper Recycling" bin is for white paper only….no junk mail, no binders, no envelopes with cellophane windows. Pure white paper with ink only is accepted.

Also approved by Selectmen is a change in Transfer Station hours of operation. Starting July 1, Saturday hours are 8 am to 2pm rather than the previous 8am to 3pm. Thursday hours are 2pm to 8pm, rather than the previous 2pm to 7pm. Tuesday hours remain the same. The change in hours is intended to shift some waste volume from Saturday to Thursday. Last year's extension of Thursday hours removed up to 5 tons from Saturdays.

The town awaits a Selectmen vote on accepting mixed paper and using the third compactor for cardboard. PAYT has requested inclusion on the agenda for the Selectmen's July 7 special meeting for action on these recommended changes. PAYT urges those interested in this issue, those wanting increased recycling and acceptance of mixed paper, and those in favor of savings of tax dollars to contact First Selectman David Denvir to voice your opinion.

PAYT estimates the town could save more than 30 thousand dollars a year with collection of mixed paper and expansion of cardboard collection at the Transfer Station. With even half the savings, PAYT suggests the town would be able to replace the aging 20 year old main compactor with a new unit without any tax increase.

Selectmen are also being asked by PAYT to approve funds for new Transfer Station signs. Regardless of any other improvements, PAYT says signage needs to be upgraded to better communicate with residents.

Any questions or comments can be e-mailed to Amy Perry, PAYT Secretary at FRAM4CBF@mindspring.com