Bedford to Talk New Recycling System

Bedford officials are hoping residents turn out this evening for a discussion on a new recycling system, which would allow local folks to recycle without separating.

The aim is to "really ramp up recycling," Supervisor Lee V.A. Roberts said, noting the town's goal: To have 40 percent of garbage being recycled by 2020. The means to that end would be single stream recycling, which means no separation of materials, such as cardboard, glass, metal, plastic. 

"We see the town has very low recycling rates compared to other municipalities," Roberts told Patch. "Many residents don’t believe haulers actually recycle."

Under the new plan, the trucks used by haulers, City Carting and Recycling of Stamford, CT and County Waste Management of Harrison, would have a larger compactor for recyclables, and a smaller one for trash. At the moment, the opposite is usually true.

Recycling would be free, but residents would pay fees based on the amount of trash they produce.

"You pay for size of the can you need, so you get rewarded by reducing the amount of trash you have," Roberts said.

At a meeting last month officials discussed a plan to overhaul garbage routes in an effort to meet the 2020 goal. The idea was to still use private carters, but have them pick up along town-defined routes at town-negotiated prices. The topic proved controversial, with haulers particularly upset.

The plan on the agenda for tonight—7 p.m. at the Bedford Town House (321 Bedford Road)—is an alternative.

"I think that we can possibly achieve the same result by working with our carters and seeing how it goes working together," Roberts said.

Proposals from both haulers are in the works, and details will be shared once they are available, according to officials.

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Here's more information, which was provided in a press release by the town:

New Developments as the Town Board Explores New Waste/Recycling Program for Bedford

Tuesday, April 16, 2013: Yesterday, Bedford Supervisor Lee Roberts and members of Bedford2020 met with representatives from City Carting and County Waste Management, Bedford’s two largest residential waste haulers, to discuss the Town’s objectives for improving recycling andways to work together to achieve those objectives.

According to Peter Kuniholm, Vice President of SCS Engineers, PC, a consultant in wastemanagement and Chair of the Bedford 2020 Waste/Recycling Task Force, “the issues and problems with Bedford’s existing system include a low recycling rate of 17 percent, inadequate trucks for collecting recyclables, redundant route traffic, a lack of cooperation from some of the haulersin providing data and in proper recycling (some drivers have been observed mixing recyclableswith garbage when space is tight). In addition, multiple carters serving the same neighborhoodsincrease traffic, safety issues and emissions.”

Prior to this meeting, one of the avenues the Town Board has been exploring to address these issues is the move to a contract with a town-wide single hauler and the possible formation of a Waste and Recycling District. This is not a popular option with the haulers who operate in the Town of Bedford, as they stand to lose their Bedford customers if they do not win the bid with theTown.

Yesterday’s meeting offered another path to addressing Bedford’s outdated and inefficientrecycling and waste management practices, where the desired outcomes can be achieved withouthaving to move to a single contract system.

“After more than a year of talking to the haulers about our desire to increase recycling rates, reduce inefficiencies, and lower waste costs forresidents and the Town, we are delighted that they have now come to the table with a willingnessto work together to everyone’s satisfaction”, says Supervisor Roberts.

Both City Carting and County Waste Management have offered to work together with the town on the following waste and recycling objectives:

1. INCREASE RECYCLING

• Current rate is only 15 percent from haulers and 17 percent with Adams St. Center
• Our goal is 40 percent recycling by 2020
• 40 percent is readily achievable based on other town experiences

2. CONVERT TO SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING – TOWNWIDE

• Confirmed best method to recycle at new technology MRF’s
• Easier for customers to recycle
• More efficient collection
• Need consistent town-wide collection practice

3. AVOID MULTIPLE COLLECTION ROUTES IN THE SAMENEIGHBORHOOD

• Safety, noise, traffic and emissions issues
• Not efficient

4. MAKE RECYCLING A COLLECTION PRIORITY

• Can be mutually advantageous
• Will reduce costs for town and carters
• Help customers with consistent information
• Help with enforcement, OOPS stickers, etc

5. USE PROPERLY SIZED COLLECTION TRUCKS FOR MORE RECYCLING

• Many existing trucks are unsuitable for more recycling
• Driver training

6. TOWN WISHES TO HELP WITH RECYCLING INFORMATION

• Needs to be consistent with haulers
• Town and/or B2020 can/will help

7. NEED BETTER DATA ON WASTE AND RECYCLING

• Accurate accounting for Bedford materials in tons
• Help us track and increase recycling over time

8. INTRODUCE Pay-As-You-Throw PROGRAM

• Equity and lower cost for less waste
• Other towns have had success in increasing recycling
• Reduce prices for small waste carts
• Work on best method and time