Fairfield panel hears drop in waste tonnage, contamination costs; plans outreach

The Fairfield Solid Waste and Recycling Commission on June 8 was told that municipal solid waste (MSW) tonnage has fallen about 1,000 tons year‑to‑date and recycling tonnage is down about 700 tons, and commissioners discussed rising expenses tied to contaminated recycling loads.

John (United Home Sanitation) presented the commission’s tonnage report and said contamination has been the “big thing” the town has been addressing. He reported five contaminated recycling loads in May and said one load of roughly 100 tons was rejected at Shelton, which he estimated “cost about $125,000 approximately.” He also described broader contamination expenses “probably up to around 45 plus,000” for the fiscal year to date, and said lower incoming tonnage reduces revenue assumptions used in budget planning.

The figures matter because the commission projects revenue from expected tonnage when setting the solid‑waste budget; John said lower MSW volumes reduce revenue while the drop in recycling tonnage produces a corresponding savings in disposal costs, but contamination has created unplanned expenses. He also reported about 160 attendees at a recent household hazardous‑waste event, noting that figure is below the roughly 800 attendees the commission has seen in the fall.

Commissioners and hauler representatives described common contamination items—plastic bags, food‑soiled containers, foam, bubble mailers and waxed paper cups—and explained how those items degrade commodity bales and cause rejections at processors. Commissioners and haulers said staff and contractors are using stickers and direct contact (phone calls to customers) to reduce repeat offenders.

Members emphasized outreach as the main near‑term response. They scheduled a staff/hauler meeting to coordinate messaging and agreed to produce laminated posters and flyers for the transfer station, senior center and farmers market, and to explore an insert in the town tax bill. Staff noted printing funds are available but that the fiscal year ends June 30, creating a tight timetable for mailings and printed materials.

The commission approved the May 11 minutes as amended by voice vote; Courtney Moscavage, an online participant, later gave a voice vote. The meeting closed after brief administrative items and a motion to adjourn.