Ricardo Morales, pictured nearby, the Commissioner of Public Works for the City of Pittsfield joined us to discuss the city's new trash disposal plan. Morales, the former city engineer, will join us again to discuss other initiatives in his department, his presentation last week concerned the controversial new totter plan. Morales embarked on a plan to reduce the amount of solid waste and associated costs for the city. The aim, in part, is to encourage more recycling in the city. His department estimates residents only recycle 9% of possible recyclable items, the goal is to raise this percentage considerably. Recycling costs the city about $40 / ton (net after profit split with the provider) compared to "trash" which is $122 / ton. The city will provide each homeowner a 48 gallon trash tote and a similar sized container for recycling. Residents may obtain a free second recycling tote but will have to pay $40 / quarter for an additional trash tote. The totes themselves will begin rolling out very soon - please consult the city's website for more information:
https://www.cityofpittsfield.org/departments/public_services/trash_and_recyclables.php Morales has previously stated that the average household discards 96 gallons of trash per week. The new plan only allows for 1/2 that volume - 48 gallons - for no additional fees. Some have argued for larger totes (64 or 96 gallon) but others wanted even less. The city states this plan is a "compromise." Morales mentioned the potential for a composting plan coming our way too. In other other trashy news, the transfer station in Allendale will reopen soon. This facility, only open to Pittsfield residents, will offer a "season pass" which provides access to the facility for $120 / year. Some items such as yard waste and certain recyclables like metals can be dropped off for no additional fees. Other items will be accepted but will come with fairly significant fees. The new tote system will cut costs to the city in part due to the reduced volume of trash and as the service provide Casella will be trimming 2/3 of their payroll under this arrangement.