DERRY — One of the benefits of the town’s proposed $3 million transfer station is that it will make it easier for the town to separate recyclable materials, therefore bringing in more money.

It is expected that the additional recycling revenue will cover the yearly bond payments for the new transfer station, which Town Councilor David Milz said is scheduled to be completed in 2014.

At Monday night’s Energy and Environmental Advisory Committee meeting, members discussed ways to highlight the change in the town’s recycling strategy once the transfer station nears completion.

“Right now, they are taking baby steps,” said Milz. “Right now, they are separating the aluminum cans. They are no longer with the co-mingles.”

With the town able to get a higher price for aluminum, Milz said the transfer station staff has been working to separate the cans from the co-mingled stream.

He said the staff has taken all actions it can to increase revenue by separating materials as much as possible. Milz also noted there are now areas at the transfer station for hard plastic recyclables such as children’s outdoor toys.

“Anything that can be turned to cash, they are doing it on their own to separate it out,” he said.

The $3 million bond for a new, larger transfer station was approved in the fiscal year 2013 municipal budget.

The new transfer station will have separate areas for more types of recyclables rather than the co-mingled stream at the current facility.

Committee member Maureen Reno raised the possibility of having the committee produce a local cable access television show about the change in the recycling process closer to the completion of construction.

Committee member Marc Flattes said the Go Green Derry Committee might want to consider producing the educational programming, since that group has taken the lead on recycling awareness in the town.

“We can email them with some of our ideas, and if they need help, we can certainly work with them.” he said.

adamswift@newstote.com