Loss of recycling revenue coupled with increases in tipping fees have resulted in a $50 increase in the annual curbside trash collection fee.
The annual trash fee for curbside collection is $125. This rate remains within industry standards. Residents will receive this annual bill in the mail this week.
A breakdown of the annual trash fee increase, as well as transfer station increases and the rationale for them, can be read here. Watch the Selectboard meeting at which this was broken down, here: https://vimeo.com/channels/shctv15/427830828 The discussion begins at the 17 minute mark. It is also discussed at this meeting: https://vimeo.com/channels/shctv15/420737597 The discussion begins at the 20 minute mark.
The tipping fee the town must pay to dispose of trash has increased from $74 per ton of trash to $83.50 per ton. Additionally, due to industry-wide changes, it now costs the town to dispose of recycling. Previously, recycling once generated revenue for the town, which was used to offset the cost of trash collection to residents.
TOSH contracts with Republic Services for curbside trash collection. In anticipation of the town’s contract with Republic expiring in June 2020, and knowing industry-wide changes would be increasing the cost of trash pick-up to residents, the Selectboard held a Trash and Recycling Forum in February at which it asked residents for input. Watch that forum, here: https://vimeo.com/391043016 Selectboard members Jeff Cyr and Bruce Forcier were also part of a trash sub-committee tasked with reviewing proposals for the new hauler contract. TOSH re-contracted with Republic Services for the next five years. Read the contract, here: https://www.southhadley.org/DocumentCenter/View/6653/South-Hadley-2020-Contract-Republicpdf The Selectboard voted to accept the new contract at its June 2 meeting.
The cost of green bags, which help to offset the annual trash fee, remain the same. Order bags and schedule a delivery, here: https://www.southhadley.org/1031/Order-Green-Trash-Bags
The annual trash fee covers the cost of curbside collection only. Because it costs TOSH additional funds to dispose of trash brought directly to the transfer station, a fee to dispose of trash at the transfer station has been imposed. By charging a fee for those who bring trash and recycling to the transfer station, there is now equity among those who bring trash to the transfer station and those who do not.
Learn more about trash and recycling in South Hadley here on the Solid Waste page: https://www.southhadley.org/241/Solid-Waste-Division
