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Pownal braces for higher trash and recycling costs as residents generate more waste
Summary
Town staff told the Select Board that trash tonnage has risen to about 32 tons/month and recycling tipping fees will match trash rates in FY27; the solid‑waste request is $186,890 (+9%) and officials said higher volume stems largely from resident behavior and larger bin capacity.
Town Solid Waste presenter Dan Nelson told the Select Board the FY27 solid‑waste and recycling request reflects both rising tipping fees and growing trash volumes.
“Residents are throwing out significantly more trash — about 2 tons more per month,” Nelson said, noting Pownal currently averages roughly 30 tons/month and the FY27 budget assumes 32 tons/month. Nelson attributed the increase mainly to resident behavior and the convenience of larger curbside bins rather than new housing.
Ecomaine is increasing tipping fees; trash will rise from $107.50/ton to $110.75/ton and recycling tipping fees rose more sharply. Nelson said recycling currently costs roughly $130/ton to process and that Ecomaine’s new facility and lower commodity values have pushed recycling costs to parity with trash for FY27. Extended Producer Responsibility reimbursements are not expected to start until late FY28.
The Board discussed potential policy responses including reintroducing pay‑as‑you‑throw (PAYT) mechanisms, shared enforcement costs (camera/enforcement hardware estimated by staff at roughly $10,000), and regional coordination on hauling and equipment. Nelson also noted a prior Casella contract amendment overbilling has been credited and the hauling contract includes an automatic 5% CPI adjustment in FY27.
Next steps: staff will continue monitoring tonnage, provide updated cost projections and discuss policy options if tonnage trends persist.
