Windham opts for single-stream recycling

By Terry Date
Staff writer

May 14, 2008 05:55 am

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WINDHAM — Let single-stream recycling begin — Jan. 1.

Selectmen Monday approved a timetable for the all-inclusive recycling method. They also extended the transfer station's Saturday hours, effective in September, and set station staffing at six workers.

Under single-stream recycling, residents will dump all their recyclable materials into one chute at the transfer station. Now, residents must segregate their items. Plastic, glass and aluminum cans go with one group, cardboard in another, and paper in another. Transfer station employees must then sort the plastic, glass and cans as they roll by on a conveyor.

Looking ahead, a renovation of the Ledge Road transfer station will start Sept. 1, clearing the way for the conversion by the first of the year.

The new recycling method will save the town money by boosting the recycling rate and saving on staffing, town officials said.

Transfer station manager Dave Poulson projects single-stream will boost the recycling rate from the current 30 percent to 40 percent. With more items recycled, there will be less trash to haul to landfills and the town will save on tipping and hauling fees.

Also, the town will be paid $10 to $20 a ton for glass and plastic, items it now has to pay to get rid of.

The station is approved for eight full-time workers, although now there are six full-time and one part-time worker. Under the new plan, the part-time post will be eliminated.

Under the new alignment, staffing will consist of six full-time employees. Poulson said the smaller staff will save the town $100,000 a year.

Selectmen discussed whether to cut the staffing to five and save an additional $61,000 by not having to pay the sixth worker's salary and benefits.

But in the end, the board opted for six workers. Selectmen Galen Stearns and Charlie McMahon said the additional worker would improve customer service.

Stearns said trash and recycling services are something just about everyone utilizes in exchange for their tax dollars. Some may not have an occasion for police or fire services, but most use the transfer station.

Additionally, the transition to single-stream recycling may not be seamless so it will be good to have the additional worker to counter any problems, board members said.

The station will be open 40 hours a week, as it has been over the last year. Previously, the station was open 50 hours per week.

The new schedule hasn't been finalized, but the station will likely be open six hours on Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; eight hours on Wednesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and 10 hours on Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Poulson said.

Transfer station employees Ralph Parsons and Bob Dobson said Tuesday is the station's slowest day and Saturday its busiest day.

Selectmen also endorsed the use of curbside single-stream recycling by private haulers. A small percentage of residents contract with private haulers for trash pickup.