Warren: New trash, recycling program reaping rewards

Tipping fees down, trash collection reduced, recycling up, according to data

By Ted Hayes
Posted 1/16/20

Warren’s new trash and recycling program appears to be reducing waste and increasing the amount of recyclables saved, according to data collected over the first two months of the …

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Warren: New trash, recycling program reaping rewards

Tipping fees down, trash collection reduced, recycling up, according to data

Posted

Warren’s new trash and recycling program appears to be reducing waste and increasing the amount of recyclables saved, according to data collected over the first two months of the program.

Over the last two weeks of November, when the program began, the amount of trash brought to the Central Landfill In Johnston dropped by nearly 24 percent compared to the same time period in 2018, while recycling went up approximately 8 percent. In December, trash tonnage collected dropped by 8.8 percent while recycling increased by about 3.3 percent.

Those percentages equate to 57 tons of material diverted from the landfill, and led to a $2,684 savings in tipping fees compared to the previous year.
When town officials unveiled the program at the beginning of November, Warren Town Planner Bob Rulli said one of the major reasons the town went with larger trash bins was to keep recyclables out of the trash; the reasoning was that with a larger recycling bin, residents who previously ran out of room in their bins before collection day disposed of their recyclables instead.

Since the program began, some residents have complained that recycling pickup, currently done every other week, is inadequate. Warren officials have said though that December was an especially busy month for recycling and trash; and that residents who need an additional recycling bin can buy one from the DPW for $65.

Ms. Michaud told the council Tuesday, and reiterated Wednesday, that the program appears to be changing residents’ disposal and recycling habits:

"We are very happy with the reduction in curbside waste," she said. "We are also so thankful for the patience of our residents through the transition period."

As the new program moves along, town officials are also working to implement several other changes, including free textiles recycling and a free app that will allow residents to track their recycling date, and get other vital information about town curbside services.

"'Reduce, reuse and recycle'” is the goal, and we are targeting all three in an effort to save taxpayer dollars and be environmentally friendly," she said.

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