The Cost of Trash & Recycling

in
Sturbridge

Reviewing Our Approach

&
and Our Providers
Fee-based Communities in the Commonwealth
as reported by the
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

 124 towns/cities in MA have implemented “Pay as

you Throw” (PayT), Sticker Fees or both
 Of those communities, 13 have reported some issues
with illegal dumping
 It was suggested at a Sturbridge selectmen’s
meeting, that the main obstacle to fee imposition
at the Sturbridge recycling center, is illegal
dumping
 The science and the numbers DO NOT in any
way support that position
 Recycling Rates
as reported by DEP

 Of the 282 MA Communities that recycle and

report to DEP, Sturbridge is ranked 241 - based
upon DEP’s reported numbers
 Sturbridge has a per capita recycling rate (as
reported by DEP) of just over 94 lbs. per
 The City of Worcester (as reported by DEP) has a
per capita recycling rate of 116 lbs.
 Based upon DEP numbers, The City of Worcester
recycles at a higher rate than does Sturbridge
 This is odd in light of our “commitment” to
environmentalism
 The Sturbridge Landfill/Recycling Center
A Closer Look

 Since 2004, total operating costs for the landfill/recycling

center have increased 44%
 The proposed fiscal 2009 budget for operation of the
landfill/recycling center was $280,589
 Is is worth noting that the Recycling Center itself has
historically generated a moderate amount of money
 Those funds however, are earmarked to “Cap” or close the
landfill portion of the recycling center
 Noteworthy, is that those recycling revenues were generated
during significantly better economic times – revenues from
recycling have flat-lined in nearly all markets
 Landfill Capping/Closing
 The Sturbridge Landfill has 3 “Cells” – 1 of
which is already capped
 This year, Landfill Cell #2 is scheduled to be
capped
 The Cap cost estimate for that cell is $500,000
 We have $300,000 available in “cap” funds
 Were do we get the remaining $200,000?
 Landfill Capping/Closing
continued

 Once Capped, landfills still need to be maintained in

order to protect the environment
 Where will those funds come from?

 By the way, Sturbridge issued 2500

Landfill/Recycling Center stickers in 2008

 Review the Chart on the following slide and draw

your own conclusions