Weighing in on new trash plan

SALISBURY — At least one small town in Connecticut likes the Pay As You Throw (PAYT) model for its garbage.

Mike Waugh, special projects administrator for the town of Stafford (population about 11,000, with 4,353 households in the 2000 census) said the town’s operational cost at its transfer station was $1.2 million before PAYT was adopted in 2006, and $400,000 after.

Waugh said recycling is up about 40 percent, and the annual tonnage for municipal solid waste fell from 11,000 tons to 3,800 tons anticipated for this fiscal year.

Unlike Salisbury-Sharon, Stafford had used free stickers to identify residents, and paid for the transfer station out of general taxation.

Asked if it was difficult to persuade residents to go with PAYT, Waugh said it was harder to get the selectmen on board.

“If you have all the information and can explain your program clearly it is not a problem,� he said.

Asked “Would you do it again?� he responded, “Absolutely!�

In Stafford, the official town garbage bags come in two sizes — 15 gallon bags in packs of 10 for $6.50, and 33 gallon bags in packs of 10 for $12.50. The bags are sold at eight locations in the town.

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