One More Meeting to Voice Your Opinion

Hi everyone. It looks like the Selectboard will be discussing trash collection options one more time at its next meeting, which is Wednesday, April 8th, at 6:30. [The agenda for this meeting has not yet been posted, but at the last meeting it was stated that the issue would be discussed one more time.]

It was decided at Town Meeting to keep trash collection, but the Selectboard is still considering among several options for pick up. Among the decisions that will be made are whether to have "single-stream" or "dual-stream" recycling pick up. Single-stream means we "co-mingle" our recyclables and put them out in one container (there are three different size options on sizes for these containers); dual-stream means we have separate containers - one for paper and one for glass/plastic. While "single-stream" is thought to be more convenient, and thus increase recycling rates, there are some down-sides - primarily that contamination of the two types of materials leads to less actual recycling after collection. A lot of research and case studies have observed this. Here's a link to a recent blog in The Huffington Post by
Bill Chameides , Dean of Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment which pulls together a lot of the issues involved.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-chameides/single-stream-recycling_b_3955323.html

I strongly advocate dual-stream rather than single-stream. I don't think it will be inconvenient. If you recycle now, you already do this separation. If you don't yet recycle, it's simple - just keep two boxes in your house somewhere - one for paper, one for glass/plastic. One of the options being considered is alternate week pick-up - one type one week, one type the next week. In my view this would be fine... I don't usually fill up a box in one week in any case, and it's one less box to bring to the curb. But picking both up the same week is also possible.
In any case, let your voice be heard! The meeting is April 8th, at 6:30 at Town Hall. Mark your calendar!

Jan 22, 2025, 7 to 8 PM

Jan 25, 2025, 7:30 to 9:30 PM

Jan 26, 2025, 10 AM to 1 PM