Someone May Be Peeking in Your Recycling Bins, Watertown
The Town Council wants to know how much people are recycling and how well the bins are being used.
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Don't be alarmed if you see someone peeking in your recycling bin — Town officials want to know how much Watertown residents are recycling and how well the bins are being used.
In August, the town switched to new recycling and trash pickup program, where residents have one 64-gallon toter for trash and a second for recycling. The recycling is picked up every other week, while trash is collected weekly.
Some residents have complained that the recycling bins are not big enough, and asked for weekly pickup. The Town Council's Public Works Committee, however, decided that the cost would be too high to add weekly recycling. Some, however may be able to get a second recycling bin.
Town officials wanted to find out how well bins are being utilized. Soon after the program started, Watertown's trash/recycling contractor, Republic Waste Services, looked at recycling bins around town. The survey found most people did not fill their bins completely, and only about 10 percent filled them and maximized space inside.
Town Councilor John Donohue said he wanted to see if people's recycling practices have changed.
"Could we do another survey now that it has been a few months and residents are getting used to the system?" Donohue said.
Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee said he would ask Republic to do another survey.
The Town Council also asked the Public Works staff to find out how much it would cost to see residents a second recycling bin.
Wendy Rocca
9:28 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Each recycling week, I'm running around to neighbors to see who has room that I can use. We try to recycle more than we trash. It's been a challenge to find space and impose on neighbors.
J Chapman
1:57 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Ditto, Wendy Rocca.
Michelle
9:45 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
I just end up putting the recycling in the trash, my recycle bin is full the first week if I try to recycle. Why bother trying to separate them if you just end up with piles of recycling in your house?
Dean Taormina
9:45 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
I agree. We do the same. Just let residents that need extra recycling space buy another bin. Why the hold up?
bindersfull ohwomen
9:46 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
I don't recycle so if any body want to rent space in my bin let me know. Long term rates are available. No questions asked, cash only upfront.
Laura
1:00 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
I don't see why they need a survey. It's already clear that the current bins are not big enough for some families. Allow those families to purchase another bin. Is the town trying to encourage recycling, or trying to encourage families to put their recyclables in the garbage?
sullymegmac
9:47 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
I agree pick up every week or more bins or it will go in the trash
Ugotta B. Kidding
3:00 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
It is not that the bins are too small. Some people are just too rich and they buy too much stuff. We should raise taxes to stop this type of waste. We need the Federal government to mandate the bin size, the collection frequency, the allowed use, and the penalties for throwing recyclables in the trash.
sullymegmac
9:48 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
No you got to be kidding
Joshua DeCosta
9:35 am on Monday, January 14, 2013
I wish everyone saying that they won't hold on to the recyclables, would. What are you trying to prove by tossing them out. You are a part of the problem.