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Tenafly weighs leaf-compost costs and recycling realities as town seeks savings
Summary
Commissioners reviewed December recycling prices and rising leaf-composting costs; council and DPW urge residents to mulch or backyard-compost leaves to reduce municipal expenses.
The Tenafly Environmental Commission reviewed municipal recycling revenues and rising composting costs, prompting calls for resident behavior changes to reduce town spending.
DPW foreman Mark Ippolito reported December 2025 commodity prices: comingled materials cost the town $75 per ton for 48.17 tons (a charge of $3,612.75); mixed paper paid $11 per ton for 102.03 tons ($1,122.33); cardboard paid $20 per ton for 3.7 tons ($74). After credits, the town paid a net $2,416.42 for the month. The minutes note that, while comingled recycling costs the town money, it remains cheaper than garbage collection per ton.
Council member Julie O'Connor warned that leaf-composting expenditures have risen sharply. She told the commission the program cost the town approximately $450,000 last year — more than double the $200,000 the town had anticipated — and the council is considering options, including creating a new composting facility that would require additional acreage and regulatory compliance. To reduce collection volumes regardless of the long-term option, Julie will include a town-newsletter appeal encouraging residents to mulch leaves or backyard-compost them.
The commission also agreed to replace a broken compost bin at the Recycling Center; Neighborhood Compost will deliver a replacement lock. The DPW will purchase a new bin to restore drop-off capacity.
