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Solid Waste advisory committee: Brookline reduces disposal below 8,000 tons for first time; sets new target of 7,000
Summary
The Solid Waste Advisory Committee reported Brookline disposed of under 8,000 tons of solid waste in FY2024, citing pay-as-you-throw, bulky-waste fee reductions, curbside organics growth and school composting; the committee set 7,000 tons as the next target and recommended extended-producer-responsibility advocacy.
The Solid Waste Advisory Committee told the Select Board that the town exceeded expectations in reducing disposal in fiscal 2024, dropping below 8,000 tons for the first time.
John Dempsey, chair of the committee, credited multiple factors: the hybrid pay‑as‑you‑throw program that links cart size to disposal cost, a bulky-waste fee that cut pickup requests roughly in half, growth in curbside organics subscriptions (estimated diversion of about 500 tons), school composting programs and expanded textile and mattress collection efforts. "For the first time in history are below 8,000 tons of solid waste to dispose of," Dempsey said, and the committee set a new goal of 7,000 tons.
Dempsey recommended next steps including expanded organics diversion, reuse programs and support for producer-responsibility legislation at the state level (for example, paint take-back programs). He also noted operational supports: public outreach (Recycle Brookline app), hazardous-waste drop-off events and partnerships with private compost haulers.
Why it matters: Reductions in municipal waste affect operating costs, landfill/incinerator use and the town’s climate footprint. The committee recommended legislative advocacy to shift disposal responsibility upstream to producers.
What’s next: The board acknowledged the report and encouraged continued outreach and legislative engagement on producer responsibility.
