Commissioners say Rockport could save $100K with pay-as-you-throw trash program

Public Works Director John Tomasz said his department is committed to reducing waste, recycling more and saving on operating costs whether or not changes are made to the method that residents use to dispose of trash.

Tomasz hopes residents will support a change, from paying a yearly fee to use the transfer station, to paying for specially marked trash bags, known as a pay-as-you-throw program. Several residents participated in a pilot pay-as-you-throw program throughout 2007; if enacted, the Public Works Board of Commissioners believes pay-as-you-throw could save the town $100,000 within the next few years.

Last month, the board sent a questionnaire to its 18 pilot program participants. The results showed the majority of participants agreed the program increased their recycling habits, was not more inconvenient than the old system, would be a more equitable method of disposal for all residents, and would most likely save the town and its taxpayers money.

In simplest terms, pay-as-you-throw means each household would pay for the amount of waste it throws away. Anything that is recycled, however, does not have to be paid for. So the more one recycles, the less waste is discarded and the less one pays.

Read more on "Pay as you throw" program at: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_044001601.html