Swampscott supports new trash rules

SWAMPSCOTT – Residents at a public hearing Tuesday night overwhelmingly supported a Board of Health proposal for “pay-as-you-throw” disposal of any trash exceeding limits that decrease over time.”In a family of five, I put out one bag a week – it can be done,” said resident Geralyn Falco. “The way you get people to recycle is to tell people to pay for the trash.”This is the third Board of Health proposal including elements of a pay-as-you-throw system – which promotes waste reduction and recycling by charging for trash disposal. Both previous plans were rejected by the board of selectmen over concerns that such a system added fees to taxpayers.The current proposed Solid Waste and Recycling Regulation requires $2 stickers for any trash exceeding limits that will decrease in the next year. Beginning Oct. 1, the proposal limits households to three “acceptable waste disposal containers” – defined as plastic bags up to 30 gallons in capacity and/or barrels with a capacity of up to 35 gallons – of trash. On July 1, 2012, the proposal reduces the number of trash receptacles collected each week at no cost from three to two. The proposed regulation – available on the Board of Health website – includes exemptions for bulk items and businesses.Several residents said the proposal was, in fact, too “generous” compared with other communities, asking for tighter restrictions and making it apply to more residents.Even those who objected to the additional fee of stickers applauded the goal of waste reduction and increased recycling.But Board of Health Chair Martha Dansdill described the current proposal as “a compromise” from previous efforts, noting that towns with similar programs report that no extra bags are needed 97.5 percent of the time.”Right now it’s a compromise that’s a good start for Swampscott,” she said.The Selectmen will vote on whether to accept the proposed regulation at their July 26 meeting.