Litchfield committee reviews Waste Zero grant and pricing model for textile collection

On July 8, the Litchfield Waste Reduction Committee heard a grant update from Waste Zero on a proposed textile and compost collection program that would collect material weekly and charge per bag. Kristen of Waste Zero said the group will calculate weekly transport costs per ton and "believes by next month we will have a full model for pricing." Tory of Waste Zero recommended the committee draft a written plan and formally accept it at a future meeting.

The presentation said the tipping fee is already covered by taxes, so the immediate variable is transport cost; Waste Zero and the committee discussed industry transport/tipping ranges of about $75 to $150 per ton and a model that shows potential program costs and bag-pricing options. Committee members asked about likely adoption rates, where dumpsters would be placed, starter kits for residents and improvements to the town's compost collection system.

Tory also outlined a marketing and outreach plan that would include a mailed information piece and tabling at town events from August through November, including the Goshen Fair, Scarecrows in the Meadow, Concerts on the Green, the Northfield pancake breakfast, Stop & Shop, the post office and Nature Day. Tory recommended a town webpage for program information and said Brett would help create consistent fonts, colors and graphics for outreach materials.

The committee agreed to a follow-up operations meeting with Waste Zero and public works to discuss on-the-ground logistics; that meeting is scheduled for July 21 at 2:00 p.m. The committee did not take a formal vote on program adoption at this meeting; Kristen said Waste Zero expects to present a full pricing model next month for the committee to review and consider for formal acceptance.