Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Drop-Off Program Year 1 — Annual Report

Town of Acton Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Drop-off Program Year 1 — Annual Report

Community Population: 22,111 Households Served: 3,764 Services Provided: Drop-off trash and recycling

Program Overview • Acton operates a municipal solid waste transfer station; residents pay a $100 annual fee to dispose of solid waste, recyclables, and a range of other materials. • This program requires all trash be placed in Acton PAYT bags in order to be accepted for disposal at the Acton Transfer Station. Three bag sizes were approved by the Board of Selectmen, a 30-gallon which is sold for $1.50, 15-gallon bag which is sold for $0.80, and an 8-gallon which is sold for $0.50. • Town employees haul trash to Wheelbrator North Andover Inc. in North Andover, MA. • Dual stream recycling materials collected at the transfer station are compacted and hauled to the EL. Harvey Facility in Framingham MA.

History • Upon the recommendation of the 2020 Community Comprehensive Plan, the Town evaluated the PAYT / SMART program and how it could be implemented into our existing operations at the Transfer Station. • The Acton Board of Selectmen opted for a non-binding town resolution from Town Meeting prior to their final decision. • The 2016 Annual Town Meeting voted to support the creation of a plan and timeline to evaluate and implement fiscally responsible solutions for increased recycling and waste reduction, including strategies such as “save money and reduce trash (SMART)”or “pay as you throw (PAYT),”or take any other action relative thereto. • Board of Selectmen approved the new PAYT Program on June 8,2015. • The PAYT program commenced on September 1,2015. Implementation • The bag vendor manufactures bags, warehouses inventory, and delivers officialtrash bags to stores. • They also handle the billing and send revenues to the town on a monthly basis. • Bags are distributed through 12 local retailers. • Acton utilizes a hybrid finance mechanism for the PAYT pricing program (vehicle sticker & PAYT Bags). • Residents need to purchase a vehicle sticker to enter the Transfer Station and Recycling facility. A full-access sticker for recycling and disposing solid waste is $100 or a Recycling-Only sticker is $15. • The full access sticker for non-seniors was reduced from $21 0/year to $100/year (still true in FY17) with the PAYT program. • For FY16, Acton collected about $254,057 from the vehicle sticker program. • Our Transfer Station and Recycling facility is entirely self-funded through its fee structure.

Calculating Bag Fees • The cost for disposal of waste at Wheelbrator North Andover Inc. is $54/ton in FY17. The tipping fee willbe adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index for the following two years. • The bags net the Town of Acton about $220,804 after deducting production, inventory and management fees charged by the bag vendor.

Administration & Enforcement • During the first few months of the PAYT Program, the Department of Public Works worked closely with residents to educate them about the new PAYT program. • Personnel were assigned to monitor compliance at the transfer station and speak with residents. • Signage was placed at the transfer station and information was posted on the Town web site. In addition, we handed out flyers that were developed by a local green committee. • Compliance with the new PAYT Program was noticeable within about 2 weeks and we were almost at full-compliance within 4-6 weeks. • Residents that arrived with non-Acton designated bags were educated about the new program, paid the equivalent bag fees and were asked to purchase Acton designated PAYT bags before their next visit to the Transfer Station. • Illegal dumping at our facility did not increase after the implementation of the PAYT program.

Additional Wastelflecycling Services • The transfer station accepts a wide range of other separated materials for recycling or reuse, as listed on our web site (httix//www.acton-ma.pov/51 1/What-to-Recycle). • Fees collected for bulky items can be found on the following web page (hffp://www.acton ma.Qov/508/Fees), • Acton established a Swap Shop facility within our Recycling area to allow residents to put or take reusable items (hffp://www.acton-ma.gov/507/Swap-Shop). • Acton also enacted a food waste diversion program (hffp://www.acton-ma.gov/516/Food-Waste- Collection). Residents have the option to divert food waste items into the collection totes at our facility or purchase at-home bins to compost the material on their own.

For More Information • Recycling Contact: Corey York, DPW Director/Town Engineer or Richard Waite, Highway Superintendent • Phone: 978-929-7740 • Email: [email protected] • Web site: http://www.acton-ma.pov/1 49/Transfer-Station-Recycling-Center Transfer Station (Monthly Solid Waste Tonnage)

—.—FY14

, I -?

Fiscal Year September November December

Average (Pre-PAYT) Tonnage Difference (Pre vs Post PAYT) % Change 36.1% I ______

Mixed Paper Commingle

‘D FY2O14 —a—— 1Y2014

- FY2015 —— FY2OIS

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-l 0’ T Transfer Station & Recycling Facility SMART/PAYT Comparison (September-June)

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Senior (1st Sticker)

PAYT (Implemented on September 1st) Non-Senior Non-Senior & 2nd Stickers & Total Sticker & Senior Senior (Recycling RepTacements Sales (Full Access) Only) SeDt-Jun Sept-Jun Sept-Jun FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 Average

FY2016 (PAYF) Difference i-...—— FREE Recycling at the Transfer Station (TS) Acton Transfer Station See www.Actan-MA.gov/DocumentCenter/HomeNiew/350 for guidance on recycling at theTransfer Station. Below is a general guide to what can be recycled: IN COMMINGLED (glass, cans, plastic containers) BIN: SMART PAYT Program

• plastic containers labeled #1 through #7 — but no StyrofoamTM containers; (Styrofoam’TM packing material must be recycled in a separate bin) STARTS Sept. 1, 2015 • glass bottles (do NOT include window glass, drinking glasses, light bulbs, or Pyrex) steel, tin, and aluminum cans clean aluminum foil, pie plates, trays Li WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU • milk cartons, juice cartons, other cartons with the same gable-top shape aseptic containers with a rectangular shape, such as soy milk containers Using the Transfer Station is much the same as it has been. • clean plastic plant pots NOTE: DO NOT recycle plastic bags; they tangle and jam equipment; they often can be Here’s what happens, beginning Sept. 1: DO NOT metal or plastic containers recycled at the stores from which they came; flatten • the annual TransFer Station sticker must be purchased at the IN PAPER/CARDBOARD BIN: Gatehouse between Sept. I and Oct. 1 (see next page for newspapers and inserts corrugated cardboard (please flatten boxes; ask staff for help if needed) new pricing) • paperboard (cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, etc.) • official blue Acton trash bags must be used For all trash junk mail, phone books, magazines, catalogues pizza boxes are OK BUT no cheese or food scraps disposal starting Sept. 1 (see next page for sizes and pricing) • hard- and soft-cover books • Acton trash bags are available at many retail sites in Acton, • office paper, wrapping paper • clean paper plates, paper bags (no food or grease) and Littleton (see next page for details) • cardboard egg cartons • recycling remains the same1 no bags are required and For all • paper goods with staples, spiral bindings, or plastic envelope windows are OK shredded paper (either loose or in paper bag) standard items, it’s FREE AT DESIGNATED AREAS: • the “bulky items” system for large and/or irregular items • yard waste remains the same, with coupons available via Gatehouse staff • scrap metal information on next pages) rigid plastics (plastic sleds, rigid wading pools, etc.) (more Styrofoam’TM packing material; Styrofoam’TM peanuts are accepted only if bagged • fluorescentlightbulbs MORE INFO ON PAYT AND RECYCLING • e-waste (computers, printers, scanners) clothing and textile donations • Acton’s SMART PAYT info line: 1.866.329.3226 • clean wood (no metal, no paint or stain, no plywood, no pressure-treated wood) • concrete, bricks, cement • www.WasteZero.com/Acton used motor oil • www.Acton-MA.gov/index.aspx?nid=149 • used antifreeze 4 RE REDUCE! REUSE! REPURPOSE I RECYCLE REL REDUCE! REUSE! REPURPOSE I RECYCLE

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Bags are sizes: available in three Here some are ways to reduce household trash:

Acton Trash Bag Options and Pricing Trash Optimizing Tips: the of fl Use Transfer Station

Senior recycling-only $5 sticker See = at staff the Transfer Station Gatehouse for such items.

Recycling-only $15 sticker = large (30-gallon) Acton trash bag, but which is not put the in easily bag.

Senior $10 sticker= will be available for an item whose volume is approximately that the of

Replacement sticker $io = Coupon costs remain unchanged. addition, In $1.50 new a coupon

sticker Second $15 = for large or irregular items, such as furniture, hxtures, appliances, etc.

Regular $ioo sticker = The existing ‘bulky items” coupon will system be to continue used

Acton Station Transfer Sticker Access Pricing The”Bulky Items” Coupon System

ttwJ ___ Jown of Acton—ReduceThe Trash Page 1of 4

WasteZera

CONTACTINFORMATION

Transfer Station & RecyclingCenter 195 Massachusetts Ave Acton, MA01720 (978) 939-7742 www,acton-ma,gov(http’JAvw.acton-ma.eov)

TOWN OF ACTON

WHERETOBUY? WHATTOTHROW? WHATTORECYCLE? FAQ MOREINF

EffectiveTuesday, September 1,2015, the Town of Acton will What are the benefits of this program? be converting its residential waste collection program to the Residents can save money. With the new, more equit6 new SMART(SaveMoney and Reduce Trash) pay-as-you-throw SMARTPAYTprogram, residents pay only for the gar (PACE)program. With this program, residential trash is only they throw away—not for their neighbors’ trash too! accepted at the Transfer Station when residents place it in PAYTprovides for long-term cost-effective managem Acton’sofficiallightblue bags which willbe availableto buy at Acton’s Transfer Station and enables the Town to buc localarea merchants. Transfer Station expense Increased recycling keeps local dollars in Massachuse Youcan cutyour trash costs by recyclingmore, since recycling boosting our state economy by creating localjobs and is free. The new SMARTPACEprogram lets you take control of increasing our energy independence your waste disposal costsl PAYThelps conserve our natural resources. When re throw away less and recycle more, landfills last longer millionsof ST The newActon trash bags willbe conveniently availableat retail greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, energy are saved, and natural resources last longer. outlets throughout Acton (and other nearby stores). They will be availablein three sizes: large (30 gallon),small(15 gallon), and mini(8 gallon),

WHERE DO I BUYTHE BAGS?

The Acton SMARTPACEtrash bags are available in a number of area stores. Acton’s trash bags are available in three sizes:

http://reducethetraskcomlacton/ 8/16/20 16 Townof Acton — ReduceThe Trash Page 2 of 4

Large.30-gallon PAYTbags are sold inrolls of 5 for $7.50.

Small,15-gallon PAIr bags are sold inrolls of 8 for $6.40. Mini,8-gallon PAYTbags are sold in rollsof 10 for $5.00,

Store names, addresses and phone number will be provided as stores finalize their participation in the program. Please check back in the coming days for an updated list.

STORENAME 5TREEADDRES5 ciTY PHONENUMBER

Acton Ace Hardware 210 MainStreet Acton 9782637754

Acton Pharmacy 563 Mass Avenue Ac:ton 9782633901

Aubuchon Hardware 222 Great Road Littleton 978-486-4400

CVSPharmacy 344 Great Road Acton 978-264 -9130

CVS Pharmacy 400 Mass Avenue Acton 978-263-3385

Donelans Supermarket 248 Great Road Acton 978-6359893

Donelans Supermarket 236 Great Road Littleton 978 4868985

IdylwildeFarm 366 Central Street Acton 978-263-5943

Market Basket 301 Constitution Avenue Littleton 978 486 0828

RiteAid 100 Powder MillRoad Acton 978-897-1600

Roche Brothers 387 Mass Avenue Route 111 Acton 978 263 0404

Stop &Shop 100 Powder MillRoad Acton 978-897 6449

TRASHCOLLECTIONRUIIS AND GUIDELINES

Beginning September 1,2015, all regular household trash should be bagged only in the officiallight blue Acton trash bags for disposal. Items not in designated bags will NOT be accepted. No exceptions willbe made.

The followingitems may not be placed in the trash: Recyclableplastic,glass, paper, cardboard or metal Yardwaste Dirt, sod,concrete, or rock Construction/demolition debris Household hazardous waste Hot ashes or flammablematerials such as oil,gas, or paint

http://reducethetrash.com/acton/ 8/16/2016 - Town of Acton—ReduceThe Trash Page 3 of 4

WHAT CAN I RECYCLE?

YOU DO NOT NEEDTO USEBAGSFOR RECYCLING! In the paper and cardboard bin, the following are acce Newspapers and nserts Recycling at ActonsTransfer Station willremain exactly the Corrugated cardboard (please flatten boxes) same — recyclingisfree and no bags are needed. Remember, the Paperboard (cereal boxes, paper towel rolls,etc.) more you recycle, the more you can save on the cost of trash disposal. Acomplete guide to recycling at the Acton Recycling Junk mail Center can be found here (http://wvw.acton Phonebooks, magazines,catalogs ma,eov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/350). Pizzaboxes OK.but no food waste or paper inside

Hard &soft cover books Check out the new Swap Shop at the Transfer Station to give away or adopt gently used items! Swap Shop guidelines can be Office paper found here (htto://vw.acton Wrapping paper ma.eov/ DocumentCe nter/Horn eNiew/3 1491. Clean paper plates and paper bags Vo grease or food Crdboard eggcartons L!sted oelcwae common items t—atare accepted for recycling ND shredded paper (cannot be recoverec — send to:’ at the Transfer Station. Paper goods wt stapes, spiral bndirgs or plastic en w,rcows are OK In the mixed bin of’commingled’ material including glass. metal and plastic, the following are accepted; The following materials are also accepted forfree req Allplastic contaners labeled #1 through #7 look for the designated areas at the Transfer Station: do not 9atten plastic containers Yaw waste no S:yrocan (Styrofoampacking mate-al can be recycled Scrap Meta in a separate Styrofoam cotaner at the Trar.sfer Stat’on) Rigidpastics (such as pastc sleds and rigd wadingpc clean plant pots OK to include Styrofoam packingmaterial OKto leave plasticcaps on no food containers because of contamination Glass bottes oease bag Styrofoam peanuts so they con’t dow a’ remove metal caos because they sort to ‘.etal Eluorescent .ightbu’bs do NOT inclucewincowglass.d”in

no scrap me:ai — this goes to scrap meta’ pile plywood, no presswe-treated wcoc, 4-foot engzh ma no wiry material because it tanges and jamsthe sorting Concete. b-icks,cement

equipmen: Used oto oil no aerosol cans because of fire hazard Used antreeze

Clean aluminumfoiland pie plates, trays — foiiis captured best ifballed at 3-4” minimumsize Finally,a number of materials willcontinue to be handle Milkcartons, juice cartons and other cartons with the same Transfer Station for a modest ‘bulkyitems” coupon fee

gable-top shape — do not flatten program is also unchanged.This includes computer mm televisions. refrigerators, small propane tanks and a var Aseptic containers with a rectangular shape such as soy milk — information on the ‘bulky items” coupon containers — do not flatten other items be found here (http://ma Absolutely NO plastic bags because they tangle and jam the

acton,civicpluscorn/Document Center/Ho meNi ew/34 sorting equipment — plastic bags may be recycled at the market where you received them

http://reducethetrash.comlactonl 8/16/2016 Town of Acton — Reduce The Trash Page 4 of 4

FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS

How do I contact the Acton Transfer Station and Recycling Center?

Isthere a limit to the amount of materials Ican recycle?

What is SMARTPAYP

How does this program work?

What are the benefits of this program?

What if I have a quality issue with a bag?

MORE INFORMATION

The ActonTransfer Staten and RecyclingCenter isopen Thesday through Trursday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm; Frday 7:00 amtc 3:00 pm;and 5atucay 7:03 am to 4:33 cm.

http://reducethetrash.com/acton/ 8/16/2016 Town of Acton Transfer Station and Recycling Facility FoodWasteCollection

TOSSITIN! NOTTHISBIN

Meat, Bones, Dairy Products, Seafood, Fruit, Vegetables, Plastic, Metal, Liquid, Styrofoam, Lids, Wrappers (candy, Shells, Coffee Grounds, Filters, Tea Bags, Soiled Paper butter, etc.), Plastic Gloves, Plastic Coated Containers Napkins, Wet or Waxed Cardboard, Floral Clippings and (frozen food boxes, cups, cartons), Plastic Straws, Plastic Approved Compostable Products. For a list of approved Strapping, Broken Plates, Branches compostable products visit http://blackearthcompost.com/compostables.php ASk’ S

NOTRASHPLEASE- This compost is used by local farms to grow food. Town of Acton Transfer Station and Recycling Facility Food Waste Collection Acceptable Items Non-Acceptable Items

• Raw or cooked meat and seafood, including bones and shells • Branches, sticks, dirt, pebbles • Dairy products, eggs and eggshells • Plastic bags • Pasta, bread, grains and cereals • Plastic • Fruit and vegetables, including pits and shells • Cartons-milk, juice, etc. • Cake, cookies, candies including gum • Cigarettes • Coffee grounds with filters and tea bags • Dead animals • Soup, stews, yogurt • Dental floss • Cooking oil, grease • Diapers • House plants, flowers, floral trimmings • Dog and cat waste • Hair (human and animal), fur • Cat litter • Soiled paper (paper towels, napkins, pizza disks) NO CHEMICALS Dryer sheets • Waxed cardboard, wax paper (but no cardboard milk & juice • SaniLary products cartons) • Textiles • Animal bedding (from bird /hamster cages) including waste • Wipes with chemicals (baby or disinfectant) • Sawdust, wood chopsticks • Wood • Wine corks (not plastic!) • Any non-compostable take-out containers • Tissues, paper towels, paper napkins (no blood or feces) • Dryer lint • Paper cotton swabs and cotton balls • Paper with Chemicals • Bunny, chicken & hamster waste Coconut shells • Nut shells • Wooden popsicle sticks • Peanut Shells Town of Acton At-Home Composting Program

IH ,i eii

Earth Machine compost Bin -$50.00 New Age Compost Bin -$60.00

Kitchen Scrap Bucket - $8.00 compostable Bags $4 per 30 bags (2.5 gallon bag size)

Compost bins and kitchen scrap buckets are available for purchase by Acton residents at the Acton Highway Department at 14 Forest Road during their normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 7:3Oam-3:3Opm). Residents may also call to make other arrangements. Only cash or checks are accepted.

• Ifyou have any other questions please call or email the Highway Department. o telephone (978) 929-7740 o email Highwayacton-ma.gov FeesjA Page 2 of 3

Item Price

Small Items $5.00

Medium Items $10.00

Large Items $15.00

Freon Items $25.00

Furnaces/Industrial AC Units $40.00

Piano/Organ $75.00 Carpets/Rugs $20.00/room

Television and Computer Monitors $25.00

Hard Drives $10.00

Print this Transfer Station and Recycling Center fee schedule.

Small Items Include:

• Small Lawn Bed Frames • Screen Doors • Wheelbarrows Mowers Headboards • Wood Doors • Swing Sets

• Snow Blowers (cut in half) Humidifiers • Small Propane • Tires (without Tram po lines • Barbeque Grills Tanks rims) 55 Gallon • Garage Door • Cast Iron Sinks • Small sinks Openers Drums (must be • Microwave

• Toilets cut in half with • Lawn Edgers Ovens ends removed) Vanities • Fireplace • Small Chairs Bicycles Storm Doors Screens Metal Doors

Large Items Include:

• Stoves • Box Springs • Day Beds • Bath Tubs

• Dishwashers • Mattresses • Recliners • File Cabinets

• Dryers • Sofas • Desks • Riding Lawn Mowers • Water Heaters • Dressers • Washers

http://www.acton-ma.gov/508/Fees 8/18/2016 FeeslA Jr” Page3of3 Exercise Machines

Freon Items Include

• Refrigerators • AirConditioners • De-humidifiers ‘ Water Coolers

• Freezers

Mailing Address 14 Forest Road Acton, MA 01720

Phone: (978) 929-7742