Recycling at Forefront of Cost Savings, Green Efforts

The Waste Analysis Team, made up of Trash Pickers, members of DPW and a MassDEP recycling expert, told selectmen last week that their goal is to save the town about $250,000 annually by doubling the amount of recycling of paper and glass/metal/plastic materials.

At present, Winchester residents recycle 15 percent of their solid waste (not including compost). The other 85 percent of solid waste ends up on conveyor belts and is shipped up to the incinerator at the Wheelabrator Municipal Waste Combustors in North Andover. Prassede Calabi told the Board of Selectmen that the town spends as an average of $767,200 to incinerate about 9,590 tons of solid waste on an annual basis.

“There are two incentives for Winchester residents to recycle – one financial, one environmental. The indirect incentive is the cost savings to the town, which means that money is potentially available for other projects. Directly, if you incinerate, it produces greenhouse gasses which we are trying to reduce, so participating in the common good is another incentive,” Calabi said.

“Down the line, we are looking to figure out how to incorporate direct savings for households involved. In the future, perhaps town members could pay for what they are going to burn,” Calabi said. “We looking at models and assessing the cost benefits for programs we call S.M.A.R.T., Save Money And Reduce Trash and P.A.Y.T., Pay As You Throw. The idea is to have people pay for what they put on the belt.”

This analysis is still in the development phase and is not likely to be implemented any time soon. “When you talk about solid waste, it is important to think about who brought it there and where it will end up,” Calabi said.   

The transfer station in Winchester a nexus meaning it is a collection point for a lot of materials, which other transfer stations may not accept such as building materials. The town of Winchester charges an appropriate fee the person depending on what it is they are throwing away. From there, the materials are shipped to appropriate places.

“The Winchester transfer station is both responsible and flexible,” Calabi said. “It costs money and it takes time and effort, but it is worth it because we know materials won’t end up in the woods.”

“I believe that Winchester, as a community is ready and willing to reevaluate its trash management strategies,” Calabi said. “People will go through a lot of trouble to recycle and our mission is to make it easier on those actively participating while encouraging other people to get involved while maintaining cost saving benefits for the town.”