Waste Management Receives Chelmsford Recycling Contract

The Town of Chelmsford will put its recycling duties into the hands of Waste Management beginning on July 1.

No recycling procedures will change for residents.

The Board of Selectmen voted last night to discontinue service with recycling contractor IPR prior to the March 1 contract extension/termination deadline.

Town of Chelmsford Recycling and Solid Waste Coordinator Nick Parlee received two unsolicited bids from Waste Management, each coming in at a significantly cheaper rate than Allied Waste, who also put in a bid.

Allied Waste currently resides over Chelmsford’s solid waste pickup. That could all change come 2015 when their contract runs out at the same time as the new contract with Waste Management.

“I think they’re looking to make a good impression on the town and bundle trash pickup and trash disposal,” Parlee said of Waste Management.

“It’ll really put is in a great place; we’ll have the two big providers in the community jockeying for us,” added Town Manager Paul Cohen.

“The idea is that you have your solid waste pick up, your solid waste disposal and your recycling all up in 2015,” Parlee clarified to the board. “Then you can bundle it and get the best price,” he said.

Cohen told the board that he was disapointed with the recycling service from IPR. “We’re dissatisfied with the service,” he said.

Parlee echoed the sentiment and stated many reasons for Chelmsford to part ways with IPR.

“I haven’t been happy with the service from IPR,” he admitted.

A recent glass leak in South Chelmsford prompted Parlee to contact IPR. The response from the contractor was to take care of the problem and have the company billed.

“I’ve been chasing them for the $330 bill,” Parlee divulged. “That kind of roughed me the wrong way,” he added.

Parlee continued with his IPR grievances. “After Martin Luther King Day a whole street was missed, Bay Street, a small street, four houses,” he said. “They were left out for five-ish days,” he added.

Parlee also brought up the simple issue of the Senior Center. “The Senior Center has been a spot of routine misses,” he informed the board.

“It’s picking up one dumpster once a week, it’s not like we’re asking them to go above and beyond right there,” Parlee said.

“There’s been all sorts of little problems, nothing that warrants any liquidated damages in the contract,” Parlee clarified.

Waste Management will use a new facility to recycle what it collects from Chelmsford residents.

“Waste Management is opening up this summer a brand new, state of the art facility tin Billerica and they’re desperate for material; they don’t have enough material coming in,” he informed the board.

Even neighboring towns are singing the praises of Waste Management.

“They’re giving us a reasonable offer for pretty high end service; I have nine reviews from surrounding towns,” Parlee said.

IPR will continue to serve Chelmsford until July 1.