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July 30. 2012 8:58PM
Go Green Derry looks to expand recycling
DERRY — With the town looking to increase recycling among homeowners through a new transfer station, the Go Green Derry committee is looking at ways to help local businesses and apartment complexes improve their recycling rates.
A new $3 million transfer station is expected to open new revenue streams and increase recycling. However, many town businesses and larger apartment complexes use private haulers to take away their trash.
“We want to address apartment and business recycling, even though this recycling does not go to the town and generate revenue,” said Go Green Derry Chairman Judy Follo.
In addition to being a positive for the environment, Follo said encouraging recycling and finding ways to make it easier for people who live in apartments could eventually benefit the town coffers.
“If they choose to live in Derry and buy a house here, it will help generate revenue for the transfer station, and they will have a better idea of the transfer station’s evolution as it grows and changes what it does and does not take,” said Follo.
Improving recycling options for business can help them improve their bottom line, she said.
“They can reduce their garbage overhead and see where they can save money through recycling,” said Follo.
To help businesses and apartment dwellers achieve their recycling goals, Go Green formed a subcommittee and scheduled meetings with local trash haulers.
“We started with Casella (Waste Systems), which is the hauler the town uses,” said Follo. “We do plan on meeting with other trash companies, as well.”
The representative from Casella’s apartment and business division has met with the subcommittee several times and helped give ideas on how local businesses can increase their recycling, according to Follo.
She said at least one local business has met with Go Green and Casella and started to reduce its trash by using some of those ideas.
“So far, the preliminary data that is coming in is saying they are saving some money,” Follo said.
Dealing with the apartment complexes can be a little more difficult because they each have different regulations.
“Each apartment complex is a different animal, so to speak,” said Follo. “We have to find out what the barriers are and how we can help them achieve their goals. We need to reach out to the other trash companies to see what they offer and how we can help them with their customers and bridge that gap.”
Conservation Commission member Dennis Wiley said he has heard from a number of people living in apartment buildings interested in recycling.
“The people in the apartment buildings themselves want to recycle,” he said. “It’s just not available.”
aswift@newstote.com
A new $3 million transfer station is expected to open new revenue streams and increase recycling. However, many town businesses and larger apartment complexes use private haulers to take away their trash.
“We want to address apartment and business recycling, even though this recycling does not go to the town and generate revenue,” said Go Green Derry Chairman Judy Follo.
In addition to being a positive for the environment, Follo said encouraging recycling and finding ways to make it easier for people who live in apartments could eventually benefit the town coffers.
“If they choose to live in Derry and buy a house here, it will help generate revenue for the transfer station, and they will have a better idea of the transfer station’s evolution as it grows and changes what it does and does not take,” said Follo.
Improving recycling options for business can help them improve their bottom line, she said.
“They can reduce their garbage overhead and see where they can save money through recycling,” said Follo.
To help businesses and apartment dwellers achieve their recycling goals, Go Green formed a subcommittee and scheduled meetings with local trash haulers.
“We started with Casella (Waste Systems), which is the hauler the town uses,” said Follo. “We do plan on meeting with other trash companies, as well.”
The representative from Casella’s apartment and business division has met with the subcommittee several times and helped give ideas on how local businesses can increase their recycling, according to Follo.
She said at least one local business has met with Go Green and Casella and started to reduce its trash by using some of those ideas.
“So far, the preliminary data that is coming in is saying they are saving some money,” Follo said.
Dealing with the apartment complexes can be a little more difficult because they each have different regulations.
“Each apartment complex is a different animal, so to speak,” said Follo. “We have to find out what the barriers are and how we can help them achieve their goals. We need to reach out to the other trash companies to see what they offer and how we can help them with their customers and bridge that gap.”
Conservation Commission member Dennis Wiley said he has heard from a number of people living in apartment buildings interested in recycling.
“The people in the apartment buildings themselves want to recycle,” he said. “It’s just not available.”
aswift@newstote.com