Town's Recycling Rate Drops as Disposal Fee Hike Looms

To the Editor,

The Town of Portsmouth has experienced a significant increase of trash and a decrease in recycling at the main Transfer Station at the corner of Hedley Street and West Main Road.

Income and expenses need to balance at the Transfer Station, to continue to serve residents as a self-sustaining enterprise. When recycling tonnages are low, not only does Portsmouth lose potential income from the sale of those materials, the town loses a chance at generous incentives from the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) for high recycling rates. Unless residents quickly grow and maintain our diversion and recycling rates, Portsmouth may face a higher disposal fee from RIRRC for exceeding our solid waste cap.

RIRRC recently announced plans to increase their municipal disposal fees for solid waste in the next few years in order to cover their actual costs of landfilling. Municipal disposal fees have not increased in over 20 years. Disposal fees may increase from $32/ton to $54/ton starting July 1, 2017. There is no fee for bringing recyclable materials to RIRRC’s Materials Recycling Facility. We cannot afford to throw recyclables in the trash.

Portsmouth encourages residents to divert as much material as possible from our waste stream to help stabilize Transfer Station expenses and hold down Transfer Station sticker fees. Everyone must work together to decrease solid waste generation and increase recycling rates.

Portsmouth leadership and staff will continue to manage costs and seek additional income streams at the Transfer Station

Consider the principals of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Buy and use less, donate or share and recycle whenever possible. Learn more at the Portsmouth Recycles website www.portsmouthri.com/181/Portsmouth-Recycles.

The Town Administrator, Richard Rainer and the Portsmouth Solid Waste/Recycling Committee support recycling and composting efforts. Formed in 2008, Portsmouth’s Solid Waste/Recycling Committee is a group of local residents who are professionals, consumers, gardeners and environmentalists working together to increase the Town’s recycling rate and to promote responsible waste handling, recycling and composting. The Committee reviews Portsmouth’s solid waste disposal and recycling programs and makes recommendations to the Town Council.

The Committee fosters a better understanding of packaging material and product disposal working towards a low waste goal. The Committee has sponsored recycling equipment and education at Portsmouth High School. David Kehew, Director of Public Works and Committee volunteers coordinate specialized waste disposal days like the annual Eco-Depot and bulky plastic collection at Portsmouth High School.

Sanne Kure-Jensen
Recycling Coordinator