As Dumpings Increase, City to Explore Trash Options

NEWPORT, RI—The city’s new automated waste pickup contract has accomplished the goal of boosting Newport’s recycling rate from 23 to 30 percent.

But more stringent rules has had a negative side effect: mattresses, TVs and other bulky items being dumped on curbs and secluded areas.

The increased presence of items dumped throughout the city has cost the city time, resources, and has prompted many residents to call their City Councilors to complain.

Now, after a unanimous vote Wednesday night, the Newport City Council has taken steps to address the problem, directing the city’s administration to review the current waste contract and see if it’s feasible to reinstitute free bulky waste pickup on a routine or semi-regular basis.

“I think we have benefited from the city’s Waste Management contract and we have increased our recycling rate,” said City Councilor Lynn Ceglie, who sponsored the resolution. “But based on the emails and calls that I’ve gotten, we’re still having a problem.”

City Council members have fielded numerous complaints about mattresses and TV sets being dumped across the city, likely from residents unwilling to pay for a bulky waste sticker and make an appointment to have those items removed.

Before the new trash contract, residents could leave pretty much anything on the curb and expect it to be hauled away.

Those days are over and residents now must pay upwards of $60 to get a sticker for a TV to be removed.

City Councilor Katherine Leonard said “shame on those” people who don’t follow the rules, but agreed that the city should look at reopening the contract or negotiating some type of free bulky pickup to alleviate the dumping problem.

“I’m glad to see this come to the forefront,” Leonard said. “I’ve gotten so many calls about big bulky items dumped throughout the city.”

Leonard said the added cost of having free bulky pickup events must be compared to the cost the city incurs from illegally-dumped items. Not only does the city end up picking up the mess in most cases, but there are environmental and quality of life issues to consider, too.

Old electronics contain hazardous chemicals and old mattresses and junk can become breeding grounds for rats, mice and other pests.

Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano concurred and said that she was under the impression that there would be twice-yearly bulky pickup events and had urged the previous administration to ensure they occur.

Despite the problems, Napolitano said that increasing the recycling rate here in Newport is a big deal.

“It’s something we hadn’t been able to do for years.”

The City Council has made adjustments to its trash contract before. Last summer, the city instituted a new overflow trash bag program to address complaints about the new automated trash and recycling bins being too small for a family’s weekly waste needs.

The City Council approved the new automated waste contract in 2014.