The Recycling Ad Hoc Committee held a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 19. At that meeting, the committee discussed the preliminary results for the Newtown Waste & Recycling Survey.

Readers are reminded that the survey officially closes on Monday, March 31, so for those who have not participated, visit hrra.org/information-newtown-sayt and follow the link to the survey.

At the time of the meeting, there were over 2,300 responses to the survey. Over 1,800 of those responses said they use the recycling program every week.

Chris Gardner, a committee member, said, “My takeaway is that people are using the service, they want it to continue … If we do away with the service, they’re probably going to go to the Transfer Station … I think people don’t want to have to pay money out of their pockets for this.”

Dan Cruson, another member of the committee, agreed that people want to see the program continue, but does not believe more people will go to the Transfer Station as a result. He added, “[Residents recycle] because they believe in it, and it’s convenient. If you make it inconvenient, it could be enough to push them [away from recycling].”

The town is at a crossroads regarding the future of the curbside recycling program. Due to the lack of funding in the budget, the committee discussed the possibility of going out for an RFP regarding the recycling carts so residents would not have to purchase them. Haulers would bill residents individually for the services provided.

Save-As-You-Throw Informational Sessions

The Recycling Ad Hoc Committee also discussed briefly the save-as-you-throw (SAYT) program coming to the Transfer Station on July 1. For those who wish to learn more, or have questions that need answers, Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority and Public Works have a few informational sessions planned.

The next session will be Tuesday, April 1, at 6:30 pm, at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street.

There will also be a Lunch & Learn focused on the SAYT program at Newtown Senior Center on Thursday, April 24, beginning at noon. Registration is required for anyone planning to attend that session. Nonmembers can register by calling 203-270-4310.

The final SAYT information session will be Saturday, May 3, at 10 am, at the senior center as well.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.