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Select Board hears that plastics are piling up as recycling markets collapse
Summary
Board members were told that compacted plastic at Nottingham’s recycling center is accumulating because there is currently no market; the town may have to pay about $1,400 to remove plastic bales and must consider storage, disposal and environmental risks before winter.
Select Board members were warned Oct. 20 that compacted plastic at the town recycling center is building up because the market for the material has largely disappeared.
A board member said the town once received small payments per ton for recyclables but now faces costs to remove plastic. “We now have to pay $1,400 to get rid of plastic,” the member said, explaining that cardboard and metals still have buyers but plastic and some cardboard markets are limited and the town is storing bales on site.
Why it matters: accumulated bales risk storage‑space limits and could create environmental concerns if left exposed through winter. Board members asked staff to return with options, including the cost to remove plastics and whether residents should pause separating plastics until markets or disposal options are found.
Board discussion also acknowledged that different recyclables have varying markets and that town staff will evaluate whether to pay for removal before winter or allow material to accumulate subject to storage limits.
What’s next: staff will provide estimates for removal and advise whether public guidance — for example, temporarily suspending acceptance of certain plastics — is warranted.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 088; topfinish SEG 146.
