WATERVILLE VALLEY — Mountain homes laden in white this winter will have something new to feel green about.

The town is adopting a single-stream recyclables program.

Town Manager Mark Descoteau said garbage still will go to Casella in Bethlehem, but the town is expected to begin to receive a lower tonnage rate and reap some of the recycled proceeds as well. Thus, reduce costs and feel less guilty.

He said the town has recycled soda cans and cardboard and such in the past but this would be plastic, glass and other traditional recyclables all in one bin.

“Zero sort” recycling eliminates the need for multiple containers, the space they take up and costs.

The town has spent several thousand dollars and bought containers for housing units and is building a concrete pad near the former gas station for the containers. The idea for the center came from Selectman Chairman Bill Larsen, according to the minutes of the September selectman’s meeting.

Residents and condominium unit owners and renters will be able to bring their recyclables, he said. Hotels and restaurants will also continue to receive pick-up but more recyclables will be separated.

Descoteau noted that the town is also working with the ski resort to eventually implement the recycling there.

The goal is to begin Dec. 14 in town, about the same time the full-time population of the town of 350 gets several thousands of new neighbors at the end of Route 49.

Ski areas and resort towns in general have a very environmentally aware clientele and like to promote efforts in a green direction as part of their marketing.

In 2007, Waterville Valley adopted one of the state’s first “Dark Sky” ordinances, to protect and enhance viewing of the night sky. The ordinance regulates outdoor lighting to reduce glare, save energy and minimize light pollution.

Guests and homeowners can clearly view the stars and constellations, complemented by the valley’s serene location surrounded by 700,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest.

Waterville Valley is also unlike most towns in New Hampshire because it was designed and planned as a self-contained, four seasons resort. It is located about 30 minutes north of Plymouth on I-93 on the southern edge of the National Forest.

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