TOWN OF MANSFIELD
Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Minutes of the Meeting
March 8, 2007
Present: Gogarten (chair), Ames, Smith, Hultgren (staff), Walton (staff)
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.
The minutes of the September 7, 2006 and January 11, 2007 meetings were reviewed and no changes were made.
Walton reported that during this legislative session several bills for electronics recycling and expanding the bottle bill have been introduced. The two bills of particular interest and advocated by the Connecticut Recyclers Coalition are House Bill 7249 (electronics recycling) and Senate Bill 1289 (expanding the bottle bill). Bill 7249 calls for manufacturer product responsibility. Bill 1289 would expand the bottle deposit to 10 cents, include other beverage containers, and raise the amount paid to redemption centers. The question was raised about where electronics end up that the Town collects. Walton stated that electronics that are collected at the transfer station are taken by WeRecycle!. This vendor has been forthcoming about where the various components end up. They also have a no-toxics export policy. Staff will investigate where the electronics from the schools are going.
Walton asked for help with the second paint swap, which is scheduled to be held on May 12, 2007, from 9:00 to 2:30 (or 3:00 pm) at the Transfer Station. Gogarten will help from 12 pm to 3 pm. More help is needed.
The committee was updated on the school composting program. Currently, all the schools’ food waste is being composted at the Middle School. The plans to construct a composter at Southeast School have been delayed because there is water system project construction equipment parked in the new location for the composter. The compost bins at the Middle School need to be manually turned, however, there are now two huge tanks placed in front of the composter, preventing any turning from happening. Walton has requested that the tanks be moved and hopes that this will happen soon.
Walton stated that the organic land care program is underway. The training for municipal turf managers was held on Tuesday, March 6 at UConn. Fifty attendees, primarily municipal employees from surrounding and distant CT towns, showed up. Six Mansfield public works staff participated in the training. An application to participate as an organic lawn care supplier was sent out to the local lawn & garden retailers, Thompson’s, Mansfield Supply, Willards and Mackeys, all of whom carry a full line of organic products for lawn management. The committee suggested working with just Mansfield retailers - promoting their services and products. The homeowner workshop series has been publicized in several ways and there is a steady flow of sign-ups for Organic Lawns on March 24, Backyard Conservation, on April 21, Native Plants on April 28 and Backyard Composting on May 5.
A letter was sent to Big Y and Grand Union thanking them and encouraging them to continue to carry paper bags, as it has an impact on the Town’s recycling program. Big Y responded by saying that they intend to continue carrying the smaller sized paper bag. There was no response from Grand Union.
Tim Wentzell, the regional recycling coordinator, contacted Willimantic Waste Paper about marketability of all the numbers of plastics from the region, not just PETE (#1) and HDPE (#2). Tim DeVivo of Willimantic Waste Paper stated that there are vendors for mixed plastics. At this point WWP sells clean #1 & #2 plastic for $400 per ton. If they were to collect all types of plastics, the plastics recyclers would only accept a mixture that includes #1 and #2. This would significantly drop the per ton value and does not make financial sense for WWP to do this.
Hultgren and Walton reported that with the new single-family contract with Mayo, there has been no noticeable decline in Mayo’s service since the last SWAC meeting.
Walton reported that the Clean Energy Team is holding an Earth Day event on Sunday, April 22 from 1 to 3 pm at the Community Center. The solid waste advisory committee has been invited to participate. It was suggested that organic land care products be on display as well as information on the remaining workshops.
Walton distributed a flyer on the second energy efficient lighting sale that will be held on March 15, 2007 from 12 pm to 6:30 pm at the Town Hall. The February sale was packed with people and it is anticipated that this sale will also draw a large number of buyers. The committee suggested emphasizing the proper disposal of fluorescent bulbs and include it in the next trash bill insert. It was also suggested that the local hardware stores have this information posted on their shelves by rechargeable batteries, mercury containing products, etc…
Hultgren stated that a future agenda item will be considering a fee increase for all solid waste items. Staff will put something together for the May meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled for May 10, 2007 in Conference room C. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Virginia Walton
Recycling/Refuse Coordinator
Cc: Lon R. Hultgren, Director of Public Works, Members, file, Town Manager, Town Clerk