Seekonk Trash Fees

We live in a world where costs continually rise, and trash fees are no exception. However, there are actions we residents can take to mitigate the rise in trash costs.

In terms of GARBAGE, the town pays two fees – a collection fee which is fixed for the year, and a disposal fee which varies with tonnage. Our current fee for disposal is $109.20 per ton. Consequently, if we residents reduce the garbage load (in blue bags), our disposal fee would be less.

In terms of RECYCLABLES, the cost depends on our degree of contamination. When the recycling bin material is collected by Mega, it is brought to their recycling facility. At that site, the recyclables are sorted from contamination (trash). The more trash mixed in, the greater the cost to sort. As selling the recyclables only partially offsets Mega’s cost for collecting and sorting, the town is charged a fee. Since our contamination degree is not optimal, the town does not get the optimal (lowest) rate. Consequently, if we residents reduce improper content in the recycle bins, the town could eventually negotiate a lower fee for the recycling portion of trash cost.

The Seekonk Recycling Committee offers information on the above topics on the town website (under DPW). Also, each month Christine Zadykovich (the town recycling coordinator) writes an article in this Reporter with updates and tips on these matters. On social media (e.g. Facebook) there are posts from the Recycling Committee and Sustainable Seekonk. Finally, the committee hosts several events each year on various subjects dealing with trash/recycling.

A very helpful resource specifically for recycling information is the online site www.RecycleSmartma.org,  where there is a “recyclopedia” which details the recycling status in Massachusetts for any material or object entered. One last mention – we are currently applying “stickers” on residents’ recycle bins – so please look at that before tossing in your item!

Paul Coutu
Member – Recycling Committee