Improving Our Recycling Program

For decades, Newton had been a leader in the recycling area, developing its first glass collection program long before most other Massachusetts communities and accepting many types of plastic and paper before other cities and towns. However, in recent years, Newton’s recycling program has declined from a high of 47% of waste recycled down to just 38% in 2006, the most recent year for which data are available.

Our research identifies four reasons for Newton’s poor performance: barriers to participation, lack of recycling containers in public places, inadequate recycling containers for residential collection, and poorly conceived program incentives.

Due to the significant environmental and financial costs of waste disposal, efforts to expand Newton’s recycling program will be cost-effective. Even a 5% increase in recycling (from our current level of 38% up to 43%) could save the City over $200,000 in trash collection fees and could generate $65,000 in receipts for the sale of recyclables. If Newton were to achieve recycling rates comparable to Massachusetts cities with highly successful programs by recycling two thirds of our local waste stream, the combined net positive impact on the City’s budget could exceed $1 million. We propose that Newton set a goal of achieving a 75% recycling rate by the year 2015.

Summary of Proposed Solution

Modest steps in improving recycling rates in Newton will result in substantial savings in waste disposal costs. We will increase recycling rates in Newton by:

i) Eliminating barriers to participation;

ii) Providing recycling containers everywhere City garbage cans are located in village centers, municipal buildings, and schools;

iii) Providing convenient, covered, wheeled recycling containers to all Newton residents; and

iv) Tracking progress toward our goal of 75% recycling by 2015, adjusting program incentives as needed to achieve this objective.

Implementation Plan

i) Eliminating Barriers to Participation

Our recycling contract will be negotiated or renegotiated to allow Newton businesses to participate on a voluntary basis for the incremental cost of collecting their recyclables. Ordinance changes and/or special permit requirements will be adopted to allow all Newton residents to participate in Newton’s recycling program free of charge regardless of whether they live in houses, condominiums, or apartments. Businesses and institutions will be allowed to buy-in to the program for the incremental cost of their participation.

These actions should be completed by January 1, 2012.

ii) Providing Recycling Containers at Public Facilities

Each garbage can currently placed by the Newton Public Works or Parks & Recreation Department will be accompanied by recycling containers for bottles & cans and for paper. This step will be taken in concert with the implementation of a facilities maintenance plan, as discussed in the Finance & Management section.

By July 1, 2010, every village center, park, and City-owned building will have available recycling containers.

iii) Providing Superior Residential Recycling Containers

Newton residents should be provided with covered, manageable, wheeled recycling containers of adequate size to accommodate their needs. This initiative may include two separate containers (one for paper and cardboard, the other for metal, glass, and plastic) or may be part of a single-stream recycling program. Ideally, Newton residents will be provided with a choice in container sizes most suited to their individual needs.

This step will be completed by January 1, 2011.

iv) Tracking Progress and Adjusting Incentives

Achieving a 75% recycling rate by 2015 requires that we improve by an average of 7.5% each year. We will make monthly, neighborhood-based recycling rate data available as part of our total transparency in government (see Finance & Management section). If we fail to achieve adequate progress, appropriate adjustments to the program will be made, including possible financial incentives for participation, as needed.

We anticipate implementing a participation tracking system by July 1, 2011 and will make program adjustments as part of the budget process before the start of each fiscal year.