TOWN OF MANSFIELD

Solid Waste Advisory Committee

Minutes of the Meeting

January 24, 2008

 

 

Present:  Gogarten (chair), Smith, Knox, Roberts, Hultgren (staff), Walton (staff)

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

The minutes of the September 6, 2007 were approved.

                                                                                           

Walton reported that the primary topic at the Connecticut Recyclers Coalition annual meeting in November 2007 was about the waste industry’s move toward single-stream recycling collection. Fran McPoland, from the recycled paperboard industry, spoke about the effects that single-stream is having on the recycled paper market. Particularly glass “grit” gets trapped in the paper and damages recycling equipment. The grit in the paper creates a poor quality bale, which then is shipped overseas where it is further sorted. The US paper mills, with higher quality standards, can not get enough high quality paper to supply the recycled content paper market. Walton passed out an article from December 2007 Waste Age Magazine substantiating poor quality materials from single-stream collections. The committee asked that she continue to collect articles about single-stream and that Mid-NEROC, which holds the revenue-sharing Eastern CT Paper Project contract, is informed of this movement.

 

Walton shared the letter that was sent to Willimantic Waste Paper on October 2, 2007 regarding the committee’s interest in expanding plastics recycling. She will follow-up with Willimantic Waste Paper’s  progress to include plastics #3 through #7.

 

The committee was updated on the school composting program. A second bin has been placed at Southeast School. Since the local farmer no longer has pigs, Walton is taking home Vinton and Goodwin Elementary School food waste for composting. This arrangement will continue until the end of school. Walton expressed concern about adding on-site composting programs at each of these schools as it will be more work for the custodians. It was suggested that food service be involved with the composting process. A meeting will be arranged with the food service manager and the director of maintenance to discuss how the school composting program at Vinton and Goodwin might work.

                                                                                                          

Walton followed up with the oversized cans that are being used for 1, 2 and 4 can services. According to Mayo & Sons, about 40% of the can services are using 45 gallon (or higher) sized cans, and the billing message about can size that appeared in October and January has had no noticeable effect. Walton is directing new sign-ups to Willards and Mansfield Supply where they sell 32 & 35 gallon cans.

 

Hultgren reviewed the solid waste budget with the committee. After raising fees this past fall, a revenue analysis shows that the transfer station is not taking in any more money. Most of the solid waste funds come from single-family service. The revenue for paper and cardboard has risen. The projected fund deficit is $11,000 for this fiscal year. Hultgren outlined the expenditures by line item.

 

The committee reviewed the solid waste calendar for this year. The organic land care workshop series is scheduled for March 1 on Organic Lawns; March 29 on Native Plants; and April 12 on Composting. The Town’s Earth Day event is scheduled for April 26, from 11 am to 2 pm. The event’s focus will be on ways to reduce energy use. Walton asked for assistance with the event, which is being arranged through the Clean Energy Team. It was decided that Rid Litter Day will be May 1, 2008 the Saturday after spring weekend. It was suggested that the Town provide volunteers with signs about Rid Litter Day that they can post along the section of road where they are working. Staff will look into making signs by reusing the real estate signs that the zoning agent has confiscated. Prisoners and scouts should be enlisted to help on Rid Litter Day. It was suggested that a volunteer is featured in Rid Litter Day publicity.

 

The committee discussed the increase in consumerism during November and December and the additional waste that arises from this. It was suggested to fix the extra trash collection week in December. The current practice has allowed residents to choose their extra trash week. Since the trash collector can not keep track of 2,200 stops, they take extra trash throughout the whole month. Walton suggested that the Town promote in the months leading up to the holidays ways to produce less trash.

 

Walton stated that there are a growing number of batteries being dropped off at the library. According to library staff, 30 to 40% of the library users are from other towns. Walton said that a portion of these batteries are probably coming in from other towns. Approximately 50 pounds of batteries are received from the library weekly. As a rough estimate, thirty percent of 50 pounds/week would account for $300/year in recycling costs from non-residents. Additionally, it is time consuming for staff to sort the batteries (separate button and rechargeable batteries from the alkaline) before shipping. Rather than discontinue a collection in the library foyer, which is convenient location, staff is directed to find out from Northeast Lamp Recycling, the battery recycler, how much more it would cost to ship the batteries unsorted.

 

The next meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2008.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Virginia Walton

Recycling/Refuse Coordinator

                                                                 

Cc: Lon R. Hultgren, Director of Public Works, Members, file, Town Manager, Town Clerk