Town: Recycling reaches tipping point

Warren ranks near the bottom of the state’s barrel when it comes to recycling. And with statewide tipping fees set to increase next month, officials want to change that wasteful trend.

On July 1, the state will institute the first of two yearly increases in the fees it charges towns to haul trash to the state landfill in Johnston. In Warren, the hit is expected to be particularly high as the town ranks third from the top statewide in the amount by which it exceeds its 3,026-ton yearly cap, the maximum amount of trash allowed before tipping fees increase dramatically. In 2015-16, Warren hauled 5,400 tons of garbage to the state landfill, costing the town approximately $129,600 in extra fee. Once the second of two sets of fee increases comes through in July 2018, that same overage would cost the town approximately $160,000.

Town officials say the town’s low recycling rate is one of the biggest factors in the town’s high garbage totals. Tuesday night at 7 p.m., the Warren Town Council will hold a workshop at town hall to try to find ways to increase recycling and by extension, decrease the amount of trash hauled to the landfill.

“I think more than anything, it’s trying to create good habits,” Warren Town Council member Keri Cronin said of the town’s hope to promote increased recycling.

“We need to remind the citizens what the impact of their habits, good or not, are to the bottom line and how we can not only save money, but do something that’s right and good,” she said.

While she said past recycling initiatives have had mixed results, few can argue that setting aside recyclables from the trash won’t reduce waste and help the town’s bottom line. For example, she said, increasing the amount of material recycled by 1,000 tons per year would decrease town-owed tipping fees by $67,000 next year. If Warren is able to eliminate its overage by recycling that same amount, the town would save approximately $160,000.

Getting there will be difficult, and Ms. Cronin has been working with town planner Kate Michaud, business owners, Volunteer Warren and others to try to brainstorm innovative ways of increasing the amount recycled. Unlike some towns that penalize homeowners who do not recycle, Warren has no such prohibitions. Increasing recycling she said, should come down to making it easier for residents to do the right thing, feel like they’re making an impact, and have pride in their community.

“This is a real partnership, hopefully, with the entire community,” she said. “We want to reach out to the schools ,to the businesses, the boards and commissions, to reduce waste and increase recycling.”

Tipping fees: What they mean to you

• Are transfer station fees going up? Yes and no. While per/ton transfer station fees will stay the same for residents this year, the town will increase the commercial dumping fee from $110 to $150 per ton, and tires from $2 to $5 each.
• What are the new state tipping fees paid by the town? Warren currently pays the state $32 per ton up to 3,026 tons; after that, the rate is $54 per ton. As of July 1, those rates will go up to $39.50 and $67, respectively. As of July 1, 2018, those rates will go up to $47 and $67 (no change), respectively.