DEP: Pay-as-you-Throw (PAYT) Programs in Connecticut
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SMART Programs In Connecticut
(Save Money And Reduce Trash)
 
 
 
 
{PAYT EPA Logo}
 
 
 
 
 
 ? Are you looking for a way to secure adequate funding to pay for your municipality's solid waste management costs without relying on property tax increases? 
 ? Do you want more control over your municipality's spiraling increases in solid waste generation and associated waste management costs? 
 ? Is there room for improvement in your municipality's recycling participation rate or waste reduction efforts?  

If Your Answer to Any of These Questions is YES...then

SMART May Be Your Solution!

What Is SMART?

SMART, also known as Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) and Unit Based Pricing, is a method of charging for trash disposal based on the amount disposed.  A handful of Connecticut municipalities have joined the over 7,000 communities nationwide that have successfully implemented SMART programs. This means that households in their towns are charged for waste collection based on the amount of waste they throw away - in the same way that they are charged for electricity, gas, and other utilities, providing incentives for residents to not only increase the amount they recycle, but also to think about ways to generate less waste in the first place. 

SMART unit-based pricing is a low-cost strategy that can help Connecticut municipalities achieve the State Solid Waste Management Plan target of doubling the state’s source reduction/recycling rate from 30% (2005 estimated recycling rate) to 58% by 2024. SMART Unit Based Pricing programs really do provide waste management solutions that make economic sense, are fair to residents and are good for the environment.

SMART Saves Money

The U.S. EPA and the Connecticut DEP are renewing efforts to help towns recognize how much they are currently spending on solid waste disposal and how much they can save in disposal costs by shifting to SMART unit-based pricing. Transparency of solid waste management costs coupled with SMART economic signals (creating a connection between reducing costs and reducing trash) incentivizes households to produce less trash.

Communities that implement unit-based pricing (SMART) programs, typically see a decrease in overall solid waste production, with a final disposal rate of 400-600 pounds per person per year (compared to the national average rate of disposal of 1,124 lbs per person/yr) with associated increases in recycling and source reduction of waste. (EPA)

A 2003 Reason Foundation study found that SMART (PAYT) programs resulted in a 17 percent drop in garbage tonnage, with a significant increase in both recycling and source reduction. Dr. Kenneth Green, the study's project director and chief scientist at the Reason Foundation at the time stated that: "Pay-As-You-Throw programs encourage recycling, composting, and source reduction -- and source reduction is the cheapest waste management strategy. (EPA PAYT Bulletin – Winter 2003That results in big cost savings to cities and towns, and provides an important ability to control future costs of trash disposal. This can happen in Connecticut cities and towns.

Environmental Benefits of SMART

The increased recycling and source reduction achieved through unit-based pricing not only reduces disposal costs, but is linked to environmental benefits as well – i.e. conservation of natural resources, reduced water use, reduced emissions of air and water pollutants, energy savings, reduction in green house emissions, etc.  A 2006 EPA SMART report concluded that:  PAYT programs currently operating in the US are leading to reductions of: 2.1-3.8 million metric tons of carbon equivalents annually..”

The NERC Environmental Benefits Calculator will allow you to calculate the environmental benefits of increasing your municipality’s source reduction and recycling rates.


Resources to Help Municipalities Implement a SMART Program

The following resources can help you: (1) decide if SMART Unit Based Pricing is the right solution for your municipality and (2) implement a SMART program in your city or town if you decide to do so.

 
The U.S. EPA has prepared factsheets and implementation tools which are available free to any town interested in Unit Based Pricing design and implementation. To find out more about EPA’s collection of products, visit their PAYT website.
  • SMART BET (Saving Money And Reducing Trash Benefit Evaluation Tool) - A tool designed to help community waste managers decide whether unit-based pricing (PAYT) for solid waste management is the right model for their town or city.  (EPA)

SMART BET Tool Users Need the Following Minimum Information:

  • The population to be affected by PAYT
  • Tons of waste disposed (i.e., landfilled or combusted) for the PAYT population
  • Tons of waste recycled and composted for the PAYT population
  • Disposal cost per ton (landfill tipping fee or combustion facility fee)
  • Cost of recycling per ton

Additional Information That Can Refine the Results:

  • Indicate if waste is sent to a landfill or a combustor
  • The distance in miles to the landfill or combustion facility
  • The composition of the disposal stream in percent by weight of various material types
  • The composition of the recycling/composting stream in percent by weight of various material types
 

Guidebooks

  • Connecticut DEP SMART (PAYT) Implementation Handbook - The CT DEP SMART (PAYT) Implementation Handbook is a step-by-step guide to assist municipal officials in implementing a Unit Based Pricing program. There are a limited number of  hard copies of the handbook, available upon request.

  • SMART Implementation Guidebooks for Specific Connecticut Municipalities - These guidebooks provide examples of how SMART programs could be implemented and benefit Connecticut municipalities.  They were prepared by Kristen Brown of Green Waste Solutions, a SMART unit-based-pricing consultant to US EPA and the CT DEP. 
Bridgeport SMART Guidebook
Easton SMART Guidebook
Greenwich SMART Guidebook
Milford SMART Guidebook
Monroe SMART Guidebook 
Orange SMART Guidebook
Shelton SMART Guidebook
Trumbull SMART Guidebook
Weston SMART Guidebook 
Westport SMART Guidebook
 
A list of Massachusetts State contracted vendors of SMART Unit Based Pricing bags can be accessed on the Massachusetts DEP website.

 
  • SMART PAYT News Bulletins  (EPA)  The Spring 2009 issue mentions Connecticut and the Summer 2008 issue mentions Massachusetts.

  • EPA Webinar - Pay As You Throw: The SMART Solution for Decreasing Wastes, Curbing Green House Gases and Saving Money. April 16, 2009. Audio and transcripts are on-line.

  • Pay-As-You-Throw Now - A program funded in part by EPA Region 9.  Although the community assistance offered through this program would not be available to Connecticut municipalities, the resources on the website are useful to anyone who is thinking about implementing a unit-based pricing program.


Connecticut Towns That Have Implemented Some Form of SMART

Feel free to contact CT municipalities which have implemented SMART programs and learn from their experiences.  Those that the Department are aware of are listed below.  When reviewing these programs, please keep in mind that a SMART program is most effective when (1) most of the households in a municipality participate in the program and (2) when the cost structure is designed to provide a real incentive to reduce the amount of trash disposed.

Municipality

Brief Program Description  

Bethel
Andrew Morosky
Director of Public Works
Phone:  203-794-8549     
Email: 
nowackl@betheltownhall.org

A SMART program has been in place since 1994 and is only offered at their transfer station. In addition to an annual TS permit fee of $30.00, there is a $0.16 per lb charged for trash delivered to the TS. (In 1994 the cost per lb. was $.04). Approximately 1,291 permits as of August 25, 2009 have been sold in 2009 and continue to grow. No charge for recyclables.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Bloomfield
Santerria Moore
Town Clerk
Phone:  860-769-3542 
Email:
smoore@bloomfieldct.org

See Windsor – Bloomfield residents can bring trash to the Windsor Bloomfield landfill – but there is a SMART program only for those without an annual use permit.

Brooklyn
Michael Barry (Volunteer)
Chairman of Brooklyn Resource Recovery Commission
Phone:  N/A
Email:
mbarry@charter.net

The town offers a SMART program (has been in place for approximately 15 yrs) at their transfer station. There is no annual or permit fee. Residents have a choice of 2 bag sizes:

  • 30-40 gallon/50 lb. bags @ $1.80 per bag or 5 bags for $9.00 and
  • 17 gallon bag @ $1.20 per bag or 5 for $6.00
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Clinton
Pamela Dickson
Recycling Contact
Phone:  860-664-1100     
Email:
pdickson@clintonct.org

Town has had a SMART program at their transfer station for Clinton residents since 1997. Residential passes for MSW disposal:

  • A pass for twenty 30 gallon bags is $20.00;
  • A pass for sixty 30 gallon bags pass is $60.00.

 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Colchester
George Casale
Transfer Station Operator
Phone:  860-537-3169
Email: 
publicworks@colchesterct.gov

Residents are offered a SMART program at the transfer station: $3.00 per 25 to 30 gallon bag.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Coventry
Donna Wrubel, Public Works
(860) 742-6588
Email:
dwrubel@coventryct.org

The program has been in place since July 30, 1993 and includes the entire town, curbside.  The cost of a 13-gallon bag is $.50 and the cost of a 33-gallon bag is $1.00.
 
    
 Transfer Station  
 
 Curbside

Danbury
David Day
Public Utilities Superintendent
Phone: 203-797-4539
Email:
d.day@ci.danbury.ct.us

Residents are offered a SMART program at the transfer station for drop-off of household trash;

  • 13 gallon bag $2.00;
  • 30 gallon bag $3.00;
  • 40 gallon bag $4.00;
  • 50 gallon bag $5.00;
  • 55 gallon bag $6.00.

Residents must have a permit to use the "Mom & Pop Drop-Off Center".
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Essex
Mike Birner
Recycling Contact
Phone:  860-767-1926
Email: 
trashmaster1@netzero.com

Residents are offered a SMART program at the transfer station/landfill: $3.00 per bag (must use 33 gallon or smaller plastic bags). Stickers for bags may be purchased in strips of 10 for $25.00.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Fairfield
Michael Zembruski
Director of Solid Waste & Recycling
Phone:  203-256-3023     
Email: 
mzembruski@town.fairfield.ct.us

Residents have option to drop off trash at the transfer station. There is an annual combination permit of $18 to use the transfer station and town beaches. The cost for MSW drop-off at the transfer station:

  • Up to 200 gallons (about 125 lbs or one cubic yard) - $4.50;
  • 201 gallons to 400 gallons - $9.00;
  • Over 400 gallons - $4.50 per pound

The program has been in effect since 1985.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Guilford
Terry Holland-Buckley
Recycling Coordinator
Phone:  203-453-8068
Email:
buckleyt@ci.guilford.ct.us

The transfer station is available for drop-off to all residents and commercial haulers collecting MSW from town residents. Costs for dumping 100 pounds is $7.00. There are no additional fees.  The program has been in effect since the opening of the transfer station in 1981.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Granby
James Klase, Public Works
(860) 653-8960
Email:
jklase@granby-ct.gov

Granby implemented a curbside SMART program on June 29, 2009.  Granby residents get a 65 gallon container for trash (cost included in the tax base). Residents that exceed the 65 gallon trash container may purchase special town-issued trash bags for $2 each. Residents also have the option to purchase an additional 65 gallon container for trash at the rate of $200 per year.
 
    
 Transfer Station  
 
 Curbside

Killingly
Town Manager
(860) 774-8601
Email:
townmanager@killinglyct.org

Killingly has had a SMART program at their transfer station since November 1998. All residents who want to dispose of household waste are required to use disposal stickers or plastic bags.  

  • No bag larger than 35 gallons may be utilized to dispose of household trash.  
  • Stickers are available for $2.50 each at Town Hall and at some local businesses.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Lebanon
Dennis Roberts
Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator
(860) 642-7901
Email:
dennis.p.roberts@snet.net

Program started in 1993.  Only pertains to residents bringing trash to the transfer station.  A 15-gallon bag is $1.00 and a 30-gallon bag is $2.00.  No special bags or stickers are used.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Mansfield
Ginny Walton
Recycling Coordinator
(860) 429-3333
Email:
waltonvd@mansfieldct.org

Mansfield has had this program in effect since 1990. Trash pick-up is contracted by the municipality to private haulers and is included in the prices listed below.

Levels of service for single family residences include:

  • One 13 gallon bag per week - $11.75/month
  • One 20-gallon can per week -$15.25/month
  • One 35-gallon can per week - $21.75/month
  • Two 35-gallon cans per week - $27.50/month
  • Four 35-gallon cans per week - $34.00/month
  • Backyard (in-yard) pick-up is an additional $11.50 extra per month for a driveway 300 feet or less or $15.00 extra per month for a driveway greater than 300 feet.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
 
 Curbside

Monroe
Art Baker
Director of Public Works/Recycling Coordinator
Phone:  203-452-5437
Email:
abaker@monroect.org

Monroe has a SMART program for trash delivered to their transfer station. One ticket is good for 125lbs. @ $6.00 a ticket.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

New Fairfield
Frank Shea
Recycling Coordinator
Phone:  203-312-5631
Email:
fshea@newfairfield.org

Residents may drop-off trash at the transfer station for a fee of:

  • $1.50 per 13-gallon bag;
  • $3.00 per 30-gallon bag. 
Residents must also obtain a permit for use of the transfer station.  The transfer station program is also available for Sherman residents at the same cost of MSW drop-off; however the cost for the permit is higher.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

New Milford
John Balasa
Recycling Coordinator
Phone:  860-355-6040

The recycling center provides drop-off options for trash for residents and small businesses from New Milford, Brookfield and Sherman. There is an annual use fee and a fee per bag for trash dropped off.

The cost per average garbage bag is:

  • Up to 15 gallons - $1.50 New Milford residents; $2 Sherman or Brookfield residents
  • 15 gallons to 39 gallon - $3 New Milford residents; $3.50 Sherman or Brookfield residents
  • 40+gallons - $5 New Milford residents; $5.50 Sherman or Brookfield residents
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Portland
Richard Kelsey
DPW Director of Operations
(860) 342-6733

Portland has had a SMART program at their transfer station since April 1993.  Residents pay:

  • $5.00 for a 45 gallon bag;
  • $4.00 for a 30-gallon bag;
  • and $1.00 for a 15 gallon bag
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside
Putnam
Gerald Beausoleil
Director of DPW
(860) 963-6813
Email:
Jbeausoleil@putnamct.us
Putnam started their SMART program in July 1997. Pertains to all curbside pick-up for all residential houses 6 family and less.  Residents purchase stickers to place on trash bags.
  • Stickers for a 13-20 gallon bag cost $.50 and
  • Stickers for a 30-35 gallon bag cost $1.00.
 
    
 Transfer Station  
 
 Curbside
 

Redding
Lawrence Kulowiec
Recycling Coordinator
Phone:  203-938-3026
Email: 
recycle@townofreddingct.org

Approximately 3% of the households in Redding bring their MSW to the transfer station and are charged $0.20 per pound which is measured on a small platform scale.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Ridgefield
Rudy Marconi
1st Selectman
Phone:  203-431-2774
Fax:  203-431-2311
Email:
selectman@ridgefieldct.org

Ridgefield provides a SMART program located at the transfer station.  There is a $/pound cost to drop-off household garbage:

  • passenger vehicles - $5.00 for 120 pounds or less;
  • trucks, and/or passenger vehicles with more than 120 pounds of garbage are charged at the rate of $0.04/pound or $80.16 per ton. 

There is a mandatory minimum charge of $5.00.  This program has been offered since early 1980’s. 
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside
  

Sprague
Catherine A. Osten
First Selectman
(860) 822-3000
Email:
firstselectman@ctsprague.org

The SMART program has been in place since 1993 and involves only those residents whose trash goes to the transfer station .

  • A "sleeve" of five large bags (30-33 gallon) costs $6.25
  • A "sleeve" of five small bags (13-15 gallon) costs $3
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Stafford
Doug Minich
Data Control Manager
(860) 684-1789
Email:
minichd@staffordct.org

As of November 1 2006, all residents who go to the transfer station must use town-issued trash bags. There are two sizes of bags available:

  • 33 gallon bag that comes in packs of 10 for $12.50
  • 15 gallon bag that comes in packs of 10 for $6.50 

Any trash not placed in a town-issued bag will be required to go to a scale and is charged $.05 per pound for disposal.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Sterling/Voluntown
Roxanne Gray
Secretary to the Voluntown First Selectmen
(860) 376-5880 
Email:
gilgrimm@snet.net

In April 1997 the Towns of Sterling and Voluntown joined the growing cadre of Connecticut Communities with pay-per-bag municipal solid waste (MSW) pricing. These towns opened a new, two-town transfer station in the Fall of 1994. It soon became apparent that the facility was receiving ever increasing amounts of garbage. The difficulty of policing out-of-town garbage and poor recycling compliance led these towns’ transfer station commission to institute a direct economic solution. Following informational meetings and public votes, both towns agreed to make major changes to the way payment for trash disposal was handled.

  • Town residents pay $1.50 per bag.
  • Residents can pick these town-issued bags at their towns’ transfer station in packs of five.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside
Stonington
John Phetteplace
Recycling Coordinator
(860) 535-5099 
E-mail:
jphetteplace@stonington-ct.gov
This municipality has had this system in place since September 1992. The original program covered residential customers for the whole town.

Residents pay:

  • $.75 for a 15-gallon bag; and
  • $1.25 for a 33-gallon bag.

The funds raised are used to cover program expenses, collection costs, and to pay the $60/ton tipping fee charged at the regional trash-to-energy plant. It did go to referendum as to whether or not the town would continue with this system. Residents voted almost 2:1 to keep the program.

Recently, Stonington contracted-out commercial trash hauling as well and the non-residential sector is now also covered by a PAYT program . 1) There has been no increase in illegal dumping since the program began; residents have actually commented that "things are cleaner" since the program was implemented; and 2) recycling figures are up since the onset of this program.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
 
 Curbside

Wallingford
Doreen Zaback
Resource Recovery Project Coordinator
Phone:  203-294-2060
Email: 
towngovwallingford@sbcglobal.net

Wallingford has a SMART program at their municipal transfer station. Residents pay:

  • $1.91 for each container of trash (30 gallons or less or 40 pounds or less) delivered to the transfer station.
  • Materials not placed in such containers are weighed to determine cost of disposal.
  • Senior Citizens and others who have Medicare are eligible for free coupons with purchase of a $5 use permit.  

It is estimated that approximately 2,500 households utilize the TS.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Watertown
Roy Cavanaugh
Director of Public Works
Phone:  860-945-5240
Email: 
cavanaugh@watertownct.org

Watertown has a SMART program located at the transfer station.  The following is a list of pricing for the drop-off of household trash:

  • $10.00 a load for compact station wagons/cars delivering trash;
  • station wagons, sports utility type vehicles, mini pick-up trucks is $10.00 per ˝ load;
  • $15.00 for vehicles loaded to the top of the vehicles sides;
  • $25.00 if it is greater vehicles sides; or
  • $2.00 for each 15-gallon bag;
  • $3.00 each 30 gallon bag. 

Each resident must also obtain an annual use permit at $20.00.  The program has been available since their landfill changed to a transfer station.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside
       

Weston
Robert Nilsen
Director of Public Works
Phone:  203-222-2662
Email:
jlametta@weston-ct.com

Weston has a program in place at the transfer station . Residents are charged per pound for MSW and recyclables are free. All haulers are also charged per pound for MSW being sent to the transfer station. We have found that this process greatly encourages better recycling and source reduction.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Wilton
Jennifer Fascitelle
(203) 563-0152

Program only pertains to residents bringing their trash to the town transfer station. Residents must purchase tickets to throw trash.
  • One ticket is required per 32 gallon bag.
  • Tickets cost $4.00 per ticket or for residents over 65 years of age the cost is $3.00 per ticket.
 
 
 Transfer Station  
    
 Curbside

Windsor
Mark Goossens
Solid Waste Manager
500 Huckleberry Road
Windsor, CT 06095
Phone:  860-285-1832
Fax:  860-683-2553
Email: 
goossens@townofwindsorct.com

There is a SMART program for only for the Windsor and Bloomfield residents and businesses which do not buy an annual use permit:

  • Car or pickup truck permit - $77.00/year
  • Car or pickup truck per trip (without a permit) - $3.00/load up to 100 lbs then an additional $03.3/pound
  • Vehicles other than a pickup truck or car - $68/ton
 
 
 Landfill - some    
    
 Curbside


CT DEP Contacts

If you have any questions or if you are interested in learning more about SMART, please contact Judy Belaval (860) 424-3237 or Nan Peckham at (860) 424-3357.

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Content Last Updated December 2, 2009








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