SMART Waste Management is the next step in responsible management of our municipal waste stream. Save Money And Reduce Trash (SMART) programs have been instituted in over 7,000 cities and towns across America. These programs typically reduce household garbage by up to 500 pounds per year and increase recycling rates by 17% or more. What is SMART? It is a new way of looking at trash disposal. Trash is not free, but costs Granby residents over $725,000 per year. These costs include collection of waste at the curb and at the Town’s Transfer Station, and disposal at the Mid-Connecticut solid waste trash to energy plant. Your share of these expenses is included in your property taxes, making it difficult to understand the true cost of trash. A SMART program makes these costs
more visible to the homeowner, allowing them to choose how much service they need, and paying according to that need. The other benefit is significant savings to all homeowners from reduced costs.
Our program is a modification of this principle. Your 65-gallon trash barrel reflects the average disposal needs of town residents based on volume. We provide trash service at a fixed level and cost for all residents, but those who need or require more will pay for the additional service. We have extra barrels available for rent on a yearly basis. For those who occasionally need extra trash picked up, specially marked trash bags can be purchased at the Town Public Works Facility or Transfer Station.
The monetary benefits of this program are significant. We see a reduction of over $50,000 in the cost of disposal in the first year, and additional savings in the following years as less waste is sent to the Mid-Connecticut plant for processing.
We want Granby to be in the lead in reducing waste and meeting the Governor’s goal of diverting 58% of the waste stream to recycling, reuse, and composting by 2024.
James R. Klase
Public Works Director
July 2009
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