East Longmeadow’s Waste
Reduction Program
Q: Why are we starting this Waste
Reduction Program? What’s wrong with
what we are doing now?
A: The cost of
disposing of our trash is soaring: last year East Longmeadow paid nearly
$352,000 in “tipping fees” to dispose of 5,050 tons of trash at the Energy
Answers incinerator in Springfield. Tip fees continue to rise every year. In addition, the amount of trash we are
generating has been increasing. Over the
past three years, the solid waste tonnage has increased 17%, costing tax payers
an additional $72,000 to cover these soaring costs. Reducing waste disposal costs is of the
utmost importance.
Q: What is East
Longmeadow’s Waste Reduction Program all about?
A: The Waste Reduction Program will help reduce solid waste management costs for both households and
the town. It provides an incentive to
increase waste diversion and recycling, and it’s a more equitable system for
sharing costs.
Q: How will the Waste Reduction Program work?
A: Beginning July 5th, trash and recycling will
be collected WEEKLY from every household. Your trash pick up day will remain
the same. The only change to the current system will be for households that
produce more than one container of trash per week. With this Waste Reduction Program, the first
bag or barrel of trash will be collected at no additional charge (max. volume
35-gallon/ max. weight 50 lbs.). Excess
trash can be disposed of in bags that are specially marked “East
Longmeadow’s Official Town Trash Bag.”
Q: How much do East Longmeadow’s Official Town trash bags cost?
A: East Longmeadow’s
Official Town Trash bags will cost $1.75 per bag. Packets will be sold containing five bags
each. It will only be necessary to use
these bags when you dispose of trash in excess of one bag or barrel per week.
Q: Where can I purchase these special TOWN bags?
A: These bags can be
purchased at area supermarkets and local stores as noted below:
Big Y in East
Longmeadow Romito’s
Deli
Stop & Shop in East Longmeadow Rocky’s
Ace Hardware
CVS A.
W. Brown
Walgreen’s
Q: How do I dispose of couches, mattresses or
other bulky items that won’t fit into a bag?
A: There are no
changes in the way the Town currently accepts bulky items. East Longmeadow
residents that have a valid transfer station sticker may use the transfer
station to dispose of bulky items for a nominal fee. Transfer station information is available at
the DPW office or the transfer station.
As a reminder, the transfer station does not accept “white goods”,
hazardous materials or hazardous chemicals, computer monitors or
televisions. Residents may also arrange
for bulky item pickup at their curbside for a fee by calling Central Mass
Disposal. Call 1-800-352-3255 for a free
quotation.
Q: Will the recycling program
change?
A: YES. Beginning July 5th, recyclable materials
will be collected every week on the same day as trash. One week will be paper
products and the next week will be bottles and cans. Plastic numbers 1-7 will be accepted. A recycling calendar will be sent to each
household. Remember to recycle everything possible. Recycling saves money and is good for the
environment.
Q: Will this program cost me more
money?
A: With this Waste
Reduction Program, residents only pay for the excess amount of trash they
generate after the first bag or barrel. East Longmeadow’s
Waste Reduction Program provides a basic level of service to all households,
allowing the first bag or barrel to be collected at no charge. Most residents (smaller families and good
recyclers) will be able to fit all of their trash into the one free container allowed each
week. Most households will experience little or no additional cost from
this program. Residents can save money
if they recycle all the materials that are accepted by the Town’s recycling
hauler, and do this to the maximum extent possible. A limited number of free
blue bins will be available to help with your recycling. Dates and location if
bin distribution will be announced.
Q: Do other cities and towns in Massachusetts have Waste
Reduction programs?
A: Yes! Currently, there are about 110 municipalities
in Massachusetts
with waste reduction programs. In our
region about 44 towns have a waste reduction program including Hampden,
Wilbraham, Amherst and Shutesbury.
Q: What can residents do to make this program
work?
A:
- Recycle
all items accepted through our curbside collection program, to the maximum
extent possible.
- Donate
reusable items and take other actions to reduce waste, such as composting.
- Think
when you shop to reduce waste in the first place.
Printed on recycled paper