Tiverton Pay-As-You-Throw Program Goes Into Effect Monday

Tiverton residents have been exhausting local vendors for the maroon pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) bags, a program that begins in Tiverton tomorrow, Monday, May 16. If you want your trash hauled, residents must put all waste into these town-labeled bags.

If trash is placed curbside and not in the PAYT bag, it will not be picked up.

The Tiverton Town Council and contract with PAYT vendor, WasteZero, on March 28.

Residents were milling in and out of last Thursday, May 12 purchasing the bags at a display near the check-out. The clerk at the counter said it was very active for most of the week with residents buying bags. She said they ran out on Friday, May 6 and had to reorder more bags.

The clerk added that some residents have been understanding about purchasing the bags from the town, while others have been irate with the task.

“I’m a senior citizen, so I’m on limited funds,” said Millie Green, of Tiverton, who was buying a package of 30-gallon bags for $10. “I have a friend in Somerset who has this, so it’s working there.”

Francine Vanora, of Tiverton, was also in Humphrey’s purchasing a package of 15-gallon pay-as-you-throw bags. She, too, said she knows of a town that implemented a PAYT program.

“After awhile, it’s not a big deal,” she said. “People will recycle more.”

As indicated by the attached flier from the , has backed out of selling the bags. and , both on Main Road, have been added to the vendor list.

The DPW also mentioned a six-month free bag program for households that earn less than $22,000 a year. Contact the office at 401-625-6709 for more information.

Chief Thomas Blakey issued a warning last week about illegal dumping in Tiverton after PAYT goes into effect on Monday. A Fall River man was recently arrested for dumping tires in the Bay Street neighborhood.

"We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law," he said. "We're taking this seriously."