Recycling Up, Trash Down in Boston
New programs are helping recycling rates improve in the Boston area, reports The Boston Globe.
The amount of cans recycled rose 6.1 percent from 2005 to 2007, while the amount of trash collected dropped 10.6 percent, according to South Shore Recycling Cooperative.
Towns willing to try out new programs are seeing success. Five use a pay-as-you-throw program, in which residents pay a pick-up fee per trash bag but nothing for recycled materials. Several towns have also converted to single-stream systems, in which all recycled materials can be placed in one container for collection.
Less trash is financially beneficial to the towns. Trash disposal costs range as high as $80 per ton. On the other hand, communities can sell recycled material. In July, the town of Weymouth threw out about 195 fewer tons of waste compared with July 2007, saving about $85 per ton. Also, the town brings in $22 per ton of recyclables sold.
