The Falmouth Solid Waste Advisory Committee on Monday, October 16, recommended that selectmen submit a town-wide recycling bylaw for the 2018 Spring Town Meeting, coupled with hiring a solid waste manager to ensure compliance with the bylaw.
鈥淲henever a town takes the initiative to put a recycling bylaw in place and enforce it, statistics show there is a 15 percent reduction in contamination,鈥� committee chairman Linda E. Davis said.
This could represent a significant cost savings to the town. Currently, the town pays $58/ton to haul away approximately 11,300 tons of trash. A 15 percent reduction would save the town approximately $98,310 out of that $655,400 expense.
鈥淚t behooves this town to recycle properly,鈥� Ms. Davis said. 鈥淭here are some very significant financial savings.鈥�
The best way to ensure this is to hire a solid waste manager to oversee the program, Ms. Davis said. While she commended the three Department of Public Works staff members who currently oversee solid waste management, she believes the program can be run more effectively and efficiently by one person.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been advocating for a solid waste manager for a long time,鈥� Ms. Davis said.
She described the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection as a possible funding source, as they provide grants to help offset the cost of hiring a waste reduction enforcement coordinator.
鈥淲hat we would really like to do is start a conversation about this position and other grants that might be possible,鈥� Ms. Davis said.
Selectman Megan E. English Braga suggested the committee look at additional grants, not just those associated with hiring a new staff member. The town has other options to reduce its waste, such as composting.
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