Officials Ask to Keep Straws Out of Curbside Organics

Residents are being reminded to keep straws out of the compost.

Gretel Clark of the Recycling Committee, , said that – where the composting occurs - has seen that the organics that are collected curbside in Hamilton and Wenham is coming in with plastic straws in it. The straws do not compost and also slip through the one inch filters used in the compost process, Clark said.

“The plea is to please keep those straws out of your green bucket,” Clark said, adding that she does not think residents also want to see straws in the finished compost that is available to residents who participate in curbside compositing.

The compost is now available at the on the Iron Rail property, weekdays during business hours, and two Saturdays per month. Brick Ends said it would like pickup to be limited to five, five-gallon pails. Town officials previously said . Brick Ends said if someone needs more they can call and ask to have it delivered by the yard in a truck.

Clark said each month , Hamilton residents increase the organic materials that is collected by 10 tons. Last month we were up to a total of 90 tons that cost the town $40 per ton compared with the $70 per ton the town pays as a “tipping fee” for solid waste.