The Town of Hopkinton is pleased to announce the expansion of its on-going effort to reduce solid waste and increase recycling while realizing cost and environmental benefits. On January 12, 2010 the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to reduce the number of trash barrels the Town’s contractor (E.L. Harvey) can pick up per week from a maximum of four (4) 39 gallon barrels to two (2) 39 gallon barrels per household. This reduction in the number of barrels each household can put out per week will realize a saving of $10,000 in the annual pick up and hauling fees paid by the town to E.L. Harvey. A reduction in the number of barrels each household can put out will result in a decrease in the volume or tonnage of trash that is picked up by E.L. Harvey. Since the cost of trash disposal is assessed by the ton, a reduction in trash tonnage generated translates to significant savings to the town in reduced disposal costs at the Wheelabrator site in Millbury, MA. According to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), towns that have introduced a two barrel limit have seen a 5-10% possible decrease in trash, representing a potential savings of $15,000 to $30,000 on disposal fees.

On the same note, towns implementing similar trash reduction initiatives have seen increases in recycling. Since Hopkinton has a revenue sharing arrangement with E.L. Harvey when the recycled paper market is stable, the town will also realize additional financial benefits as a result of an increase in recycling. During the last fiscal year for instance, the town earned $16,725 from its recycling efforts while having a positive impact on the environment. Residents are asked to continue their efforts in reducing trash and recycling all that they can. Residents can use their own containers (e.g. barrel/laundry basket), clearly marked for recycling, at the curb and more recycling related information can be found here. 

Pursuant the board’s vote, households who wish to put out more than two barrels of trash can purchase special 33 gallon town bags (with maximum allowable weight of 50 pounds) to hold the extra trash. These overflow bags will be sold at $1.25 each. Overflow bag fees are not being used as revenue generators but simply to cover the cost of the bag, as well as the disposal cost of the estimated weight of the trash collected in the special town bag. Town officials are working with the bag distributor and local stores to provide easy and after-hours availability of the special bags. Town Hall and DPW facility will also sell the special town bags. A list of locations and hours will be publicized in the weeks ahead.

To make this transition much smoother, this change will only take effect on March 15, 2010 with a grace period of two weeks from that date. The cooperation of the citizens during this transition is appreciated and more information about the program will be available in the ensuing weeks.