Public Comment: No More Delays On Implementing Hauler Reform
Photo: Nareeta Martin / Unspalsh
The following public comment was given at the meeting of the Town Services and Outreach Committee on June 1, 2023.
My name is Darcy DuMont and I live in District 3. I am a member of Zero Waste Amherst, the official community sponsor of the waste hauler bylaw amendment proposal to change from a subscription service to a contract with the hauler, which would include provision of curbside compost pick up.
I urge you to take action on the bylaw amendment proposal so that the council can act to vote on adoption by early summer. The matter was referred to this committee 10 months ago and the DEP technical grant was awarded six months ago.
The Board of Health urged the council to act a year and a half ago and reminded you both in June of 2022 and last month to get going on it.
This proposal is so easy to support. It is a win-win-win for air quality, for the climate and for residents’ pocketbooks. The results of the Trash, Recycling and Compost survey were clear. Respondents using USA Waste and Recycling are paying exorbitant amounts and getting no “pay as you throw” waste reduction. We could reduce our waste by much more than 40% by the combination of pay as you throw and compost diversion.
If USA is touting its recycling facility, all the more reason that it can fare well in a contract bidding process. We need a contract to ensure waste reduction, to reduce prices and to provide transparency for customers.
Again, a huge number of local organizations support this proposal. We have lots of evidence that it will save residents money.
Please, please, please, let’s get it going so that it can be implemented in 2024.