Orleans expands composting and brings more recycling hauling in‑house

Calvin Sutton, deputy director of public works and utilities, updated the board that Orleans expanded its transfer station services this year to include a food‑waste composting pickup and added a third compost bin to meet demand.

"Our last pickup was around 400 pounds," Sutton said when asked about participation, and he added that the program is starting to level cost‑wise with municipal solid waste fees. He noted the town distributed starter buckets and compostable bags and is looking for grant support and regional solutions to expand capacity.

Sutton also said the town brought hauling of glass, recyclables and brush in‑house to reduce vendor dependency and control rates. He said volunteers and staff have helped the transition and that Barnstable County is piloting a regional composting project that could return finished compost to participating towns.

Residents asked whether compost could be returned for home use; Sutton said yard‑waste compost is available for purchase now and that long‑term regional arrangements could make compost available to residents at low or no cost.

The board encouraged continued outreach to reduce contamination and to monitor tipping‑fee savings as the program grows.