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Fitchburg committee sees recycling tonnage down while trash rises; members push for audits and outreach
Summary
Commissioners reviewed decades of collection data showing curbside recycling tonnage trending downward while trash tonnage has risen with population. Commissioners proposed targeted outreach, possible curbside waste audits and refreshed messaging about film-and-foam and drop-off recycling options.
At the Resource Conservation Committee meeting on June 8, commissioners examined refuse and recycling trends derived from the city's contractor data set going back to 2009.
Ben presented Pelletary's curbside figures through April 2026 and told the committee the data exclude most multifamily properties. "This data does actually doesn't include multifamily properties," he said, noting the series covers single-family, duplex and small (up to four-unit) properties.
The data show a steady rise in total monthly waste tonnage as the city has grown but a downward trend for curbside recycling tonnage. Commissioners suggested several likely causes: more deliveries and changes in packaging, pandemic and inflation-related consumption shifts, and resident confusion or skepticism about whether recycled materials are truly recycled.
Members discussed outreach and enforcement options. One practical idea was performing targeted curbside waste audits in partnership with Pelletary to measure contamination and better tailor educational messages. Commissioners also discussed using direct mail to promote special recycling drop-off events; one participant said a postcard mailing to advertise a Ridwell presentation previously drew strong attendance, roughly "60 to 70 people" for that event.
The committee also reviewed operational details: about 6,500 single-family properties receive curbside recycling carts; curbside data does not reflect larger apartment complexes (which use separate contracts); curbside cardboard volumes have been stable while more cardboard and glass are being taken to the drop-off site. Commissioners encouraged staff to pursue a mix of low-cost education (social media, flyers) and limited targeted mailings, and to plan a potential waste-audit pilot with Pelletary.
Next steps: staff will explore a pilot contamination audit, refresh credit/outreach language on the city website and consider targeted postcard mailings timed ahead of major recycling events and community film screenings.
