Residents reminded recycling saves town money
The governor will increase trash fees for communities that do not recycle.
01:00 AM EST on Thursday, February 10, 2005
By KATIE WARCHUT
Providence Journal Staff Writer
BURRILLVILLE -- The town is encouraging residents to recycle, following Governor Carcieri's proposal last month to increase trash fees for communities that don't recycle enough.
In addition to advantages to the environment, residents should recycle because it saves the town money, said Town Manager Michael C. Wood at last night's Town Council meeting.
The town pays $32 a ton at the state Central Landfill for trash, but recycled items do not cost the town money to dispose of.
If recycled items are thrown away as trash, however, they add to the trash costs.
Once the town exceeds the allowed tonnage, based upon population, the trash fees increase to $50 a ton.
"This means a lot to every resident in town tax-wise," said Councilman William Andrews.
Public Works Director Richard A. Bernardo estimates about 30 to 40 percent of residents do not recycle, based on a review of the trash routes.
Recycling coordinator Kevin Cleary said that amount is about average compared to other communities.
The town is collecting addresses of residents who are not complying with the mandatory recycling ordinance, he said. Letters will be sent to the residents with information on how to obtain recycle bins and what should be recycled.
"We have to get everybody participating in the program and inform them why they need to recycle," Cleary said.
Town officials hope that step will increase recycling by 10 percent. The town's next step would be to take enforcement action, he said.
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