SUBJECT: Staff Report
Title
Recycling Improvements
Body
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: Todd Fessenden, Director of Public Works
FISCAL INFORMATION: N/A
Cost as Recommended:
Balance Available:
Budget Line Item Number:
New Appropriation Required:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: N/A
Recommendation
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER: Over the last year staff has noted increased difficulty in managing the Town Recycling Center. The challenges are due to a variety of circumstances including higher utilization of the Center, high volume of cardboard waste due to growth and moving supplies and illegal dumping. The Recycling Center currently is open 24 hours a day. This year we have increased pickups by the waste hauler from 2 to 3 days per week in an effort to keep up with waste.
The Recycle Center was originally intended for residential recycling however, at times, large loads are deposited in the containers from commercial businesses; which overwhelm the Center's capacity. Typically, when capacity is reached individuals continue to deposit materials outside of the containers on the ground or on the walkways between containers. When such conditions arise the Recycling Center is shut down for safety reasons, as the walkways become unsafe or due to waste blocking the bins from being removed by the hauler (see attached photos for examples). Any materials blocking the bins results in the hauler leaving without a load on that scheduled day. We have also noticed an increase in illegal dumping (per Town Code 6-6-9: Litter Control) of materials ranging from waste oil, car batteries, toilets, sinks, mattresses and other items. Such illegal dumping also results in the waste hauler leaving without a load, and staff has to remove these items and transport them to the landfill. Additionally, on occasion, individuals deposit non-recyclable items into the bins themselves which results in the entire load being taken to the landfill.
The Recycling Center sits in...
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