Recycling Success Saving Environment, Money

In the two years since the Town of Clayton decided to upscale its recycling program, the population has grown by nearly 800 households, yet the amount of trash sent to landfills has gone down, saving thousands in landfill fees.

Recycling has more than tripled, to a total of 827 tons last year.

"What a tremendous difference," said Councilman Alex Harding, who championed the recycling upgrade. "We're doing a great job of saving money and helping out the environment at the same time."

Two years ago, the town replaced its old 18 gallon open-top recycling containers with 64-gallon roll out containers with a lid. In addition, the materials list for recycling was widened substantially. The town now accepts magazines, catalogs, phone books, cereal boxes, junk mail, office paper, plastic containers numbered 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 plus properly prepared corrugated cardboard. This is in addition to newspapers, glass containers (clear, green and brown), aluminum cans, bi-metal cans, soda bottles (PET) and milk containers (HDPE).

Officials estimate that the town has saved nearly $40,000 in landfill fees since then.

The town's figures are in line with statewide statistics which show that residents are recycling more--totaling almost 1.3 million tons last year, while the amount of trash sent to landfills is going down.

State officials say statewide glass recycling grew by 22 percent last year, while plastic and paper had increases of about half that. The amount of trash sent to landfills was down 12 percent.