SEAN A. MALTAIS wrote:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/396719/cash_for_trash_paid_to_recycle_rolls.html

Karla, Read this story too. It is a little closer to home(Southbridge,MA.)There is a minimal fee and RecycleBank is quoted as saying the fee is paid to the trash hauler. I simply believe a program like this needs to be looked into before Saugus signs another trash contract. I don't believe we should accept a bid from any hauler who doesn't have an open mind regarding something like RecycleBank.

Hi Sean-
I agree that Saugus should take a look at RecycleBank, as well as another look at a pay-as-you throw plan to get our recycling levels up.  BTW, a trash fee is something entirely different.  A community primarily implements a trash fee to pay for trash pick up services.  Typically, every resident pays the same fee and so there is no incentive to recycle. A community implements a pay-as-you throw program primarily to encourage recycling. Saugus actually already has the basis for a simple pay as you throw program in place.  We have to buy $2.00 stickers to throw out anything that is not considered part of "normal trash," for example, pieces of furniture.  It may be relatively easy to simply extend this program if Saugus decides to implement a pay-as-you throw program. (Sorry Joe, the "bureacracy" is already in place.) Since one of the main issues for people with a pay as you throw program seems to be the cost to the individuals (that would be us), how about considering something like this: a program that would rebate the fees (minus administrative expenses) back to all of us at the end of the year?  Of course, it probably would not be a dollar rebated for each dollar spent by an individual (that really would require a lot more  bureaucracy), but at least the total cost to the individual would be less.  In addition, people who recycle a lot might even receive more money at the end of the year than they paid out for stickers.  Just a thought.