Transfer Station ‘Pay as You Throw’ Proposal

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS 'AWAY'.  (“I'm just going to throw this 'away'”)

Please vote about changing the system of household waste disposal at the

DEEP RIVER TRANSFER STATION (TS) on

Dec. 11 at 7pm in the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium

TERMS:

Household waste – this is the garbage that goes into the TS compactor

PAYT- pay-as-you-throw/UBP (unit based pricing) the consumer will pay for the household trash they generate

Tipping fee- the fee charged to the town to transport/remove household waste from the TS.

Compactor- the household waste container at the TS

FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What is prompting the proposed change at our Transfer Station?  The earth is struggling with too much waste and huge disposal challenges.  Connecticut is facing local challenges since landfills are closed while burn facilities (MIRA) are closing due to aging.  Nobody wants a landfill or burn facility in their town. We are sending 40% of our HOUSEHOLD WASTE to Pennsylvania and Ohio at this time.  The cost to do this raises our tipping fees. We have to reduce the amount of TRASH (household waste) we generate.  The problem is getting worse since remaining MIRA facilities will be closing in upcoming years. We need to make changes to mitigate rising costs and to protect environmental impact.

2. What is the proposed plan to encourage people to reduce their household waste? Households that use the TS for household waste disposal will be required to use official Town of Deep River trash bags sold in rolls of ten available for purchase (tax free) in local stores.  Three sizes will be available to accommodate different sized households.  Recycling will continue to be free.

1. Why is this method being proposed?  Pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) is a system of trash disposal that is used in over 400 communities in New England, and has cut the trash in half in every one of those communities. It is the most reliable and effective change a municipality can make to reduce trash. Reducing trash has environmental benefits, as well as economic benefits for the town, by reducing the money spent on trash disposal. PAYT is also fair. People pay for the trash they generate.

1. What goes into the household waste bag?  Household waste consists of all items that are not recyclables or food waste.  For example, potato chip bags, snack and candy wrappers, feminine hygiene products and other bathroom waste, Styrofoam, broken glass and more. Still not sure? 

Recyclables- glass, cardboard, paper, metal, recyclable plastics (ADD LINK) RecycleCT.com

Food scraps- all food scraps are accepted including meat and dairy products. Composting food waste can reduce your trash by 22% and reduce methane. You do not need to use the green bag nor any bag.  Just tip your food waste container into the TS food scrap container.

Thin plastics- clean dry thin plastics can be disposed of at: Adams, DRPL, Town Hall, TS

ADD LINK

Tires, mattresses, bulky waste, yard waste, textiles (coming soon) clothes and books will all continue to be collected in the same way they are now.  Some established charges continue to apply.

5. What is the cost of the bags? 33 gallon (family size)- $2 each, 13 gallon (medium)- $1.30 each, 8 gallon (1-2 person households)- $.95 each.

6. Who is entitled to free bags?  The town will provide verified low-income households and other special cases with free bags.  Call the First Selectman's office for assistance.

7. How is the money being used for the bags? The bag charge is paying for the bag and the tipping fee (cost of disposal) at the incinerator/landfill.  Surplus revenue is proposed to be put into a separate TS fund to support some badly needed changes at the TS, such as a gate to regulate usage and a Share Shed for unwanted but usable items.  There are other needed modifications that will make DR even more environmentally friendly.

1. Why doesn't Deep River just make this change without all the hoopla?  Democracy and public involvement is important in any town decision. This is an ordinance that requires a town-wide vote to approve the change.

The in-person vote will take place on Dec. 11 at 7pm in the Town Hall auditorium.

9. What happens if I show up at the TS with a bag of trash that is not the official town bag?  You will be turned away and not allowed to throw your unmarked bag in the compactor.

10. When will the change occur?  As of this writing, we hope to begin the new plan on Earth Day, April 24, 2024.

11. What should I do with all my leftover orange and green bags?  The new program is projected to start in April on Earth Day.  Bring your (anticipated) leftover bags to the TS and we'll redistribute them so we can use them up.

1. How will this process be enforced?  Staff at the Transfer Station will monitor the waste being thrown into the compactor. Stickers are still required. 

1. Don't you think people will just start to do irresponsible things will their garbage like throw it out on the street?  In the hundreds of communities that use this system, there is no evidence to support  that pay-as-you-throw increases illegal dumping. Overwhelmingly, people do the right thing. Please do the right thing. Don’t dump illegally.

DO YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?  CALL THE FIRST SELECTMAN'S OFFICE  and someone from our committee will get back to you.

PLEASE ATTEND THE MEETING ON MONDAY, DEC. 11 at 7pm in the DR TOWN HALL AND VOTE . IN- PERSON VOTING ONLY.  NO HYBRID MEETING WILL BE OFFERED.