Potential Future of Barnstable's Trash: Pay-As-You-Throw

In a town where the recycling rate is the lowest on the Cape and the cost of hauling trash out of town is set to more than double in four years, the town and Renewable Energy Commission is working on a solution to save money and be more eco-friendly.

What better way to learn than by example? Sandwich Department of Public Works director Paul Tilton joined the commission to talk about its success with a new trash program called pay-as-you-throw in which residents are required to purchase a transfer station sticker and bags for garbage, but can dispose of recyclables for free. 

The commission is particularly interested in this system as it rewards residents for recycling more - after all Barnstable has the worst recycling rate on the Cape - and makes trash disposal equitable. The current program at the Barnstable Transfer Station does not discriminate between a single person, couple or large family disposing of trash. It's one flat fee of $130.

Tilton said, "We are very pleased with results of pay as you throw," and more than 130 communities in Massachusetts participate in similar programs.

Tilton said he is very encouraged by the results with the program even though it's only been in effect for about one month. So far, recycling is up nearly 74 percent and disposal of solid waste is down 48 percent, he said. 

The best way to reduce solid waste fees is through recycling, Tilton said. 

Recycling will most likely be the key for Barnstable as well. With the contracted tipping fee per ton with SEMASS set to increase from $37 to anywhere between $80 to $100 or more, the cost to send Barnstable's trash to the incinerator will dramatically affect families. 

With pay-as-you-throw, residents will have to adapt and learn how to reduce their solid waste through recycling and composting.  

To see how practical and money saving pay-as-you-throw could be, Tilton said he completed an experiment with his family. He composted excess food scraps, recycled everything he could and was able to change his recycling rate from 40 to 45 percent to 65 to 75 percent. 

That recycling increase is the key to saving money for families. 

"It's fair, equitable," Tilton said. "Right now there are people subsidising other people. It makes it right," Tilton said about the new pay-as-you-throw system. 

Sandwich DPW estimated that private hauling will be near $1,080 in five years - compared to $600 or so for family of five at its transfer station.

Tilton stressed that education will be one of the most important aspects of getting buy-in for the new program. The messages he said to send are clear:

• the cost to dispose of trash is going to increase dramatically
• recycling is the key to reducing the amount of solid waste and saving money
• pay-as-you-throw is an equitable program and rewards people with savings by reducing waste
• it is good for the environment

Sandwich gave free recycling bins to its residents who purchased the transfer station sticker and also is offering composting bins at a discount. 

How do you feel about curbside pick-up with recycling through the town? Think trash cans on the roadside is ugly? Have a particular opinion about how we should handle trash? Tell us in the comments below!