WEST PARIS – A recycling program is once again in effect at the transfer station on Pioneer Street, according to town officials.
The return to recycling, which was done briefly several years ago, was approved by voters during March’s annual town meeting.
Residents authorized selectmen to enter the town as a member of the Oxford County Regional Solid Waste Association based in South Paris.
As explained by the town’s former first selectman, Wade Rainey, “By joining with that group of 18 towns we can save our people money by cutting the amount of trash that now has to be hauled away each month at a price of $90 per ton. It may mean more work for people, who will need to separate their waste, but town officials feel it will be worth the extra effort if we can cut our solid waste costs.”
New bins are now in place, and people are being asked to separate and place in the proper bins corrugated and non-corrugated cardboard, newspapers, office paper, plastic milk containers, junk mail and glass.
Residents must also continue to separate metals, construction debris and cans, as they have in the past.
Town officials also are going to make home composting bins available for purchase through the town office to further reduce costs at the transfer station.
According to officials of the Regional Solid Waste Association, kitchen scraps and yard waste account for 25 percent of the waste generated by an average household, and composting those materials would help reduce solid waste disposal costs.
The compost made from kitchen and yard wastes can enrich garden soil and lawns. Anyone interested in purchasing a home composting bin may contact the town office at 674-2701.
The staff has information on the price and delivery dates.
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