Milton CAPC flags rising recycling contamination, explores RIDWELL and new battery collection site

Arthur Doyle and Kim Johnson reported that recycling contamination rates have risen to approximately 21% in the most recent audit, compared with a target maximum of about 10%. Town Environmental Coordinator Cassandra Callabro has begun random neighborhood sampling, tagging non‑compliant bins with “oops, try again” notices and leaving them uncollected. The working group discussed outreach channels (Connect Milton, annual mailer, library signage, student engagement) and asked Cassandra to provide data on the cost impact of rising contamination at the March meeting; Arthur Doyle will follow up.

Arthur Doyle also reported that RIDWELL, a home subscription service for hard‑to‑recycle materials, presented at the Milton Public Library ~three to four weeks earlier with about 20–22 residents attending; the service costs $18 per month with twice‑monthly pickup. The town has entered a reciprocal arrangement with Dedham for hazardous waste collection days to increase collection opportunities, and a new battery collection site will be established at Town Hall managed by Cassandra Callabro. Committee members discussed outreach to new residents and noted a gap in renter outreach because no public data source for new renters exists.