WEST MILFORD — The township has re-upped with both its trash hauler and recyclables collector, getting a lower-than-expected price from Waste Management for trash pick up in the process.
The council awarded a five-year contract for its solid waste disposal to Waste Management of New Jersey, Inc., the township's current hauler. The contract runs from Sept. 1, 2014 through Aug. 31, 2019. Tipping fees - the cost to the township to dispose of the waste - start at $68 per ton and increase 50 cents per year throughout the contract. The township budgeted more than that in its budget, according to former interim Administrator Robert Casey, who now serves as a consultant in the Community Services and Recreation Department.
Conversely, the township brings in revenue by selling its recyclables. The council awarded a contract for marketing its recyclables to Trinity Recycling of New Jersey, Inc. from Sept. 1, 2014 through Dec. 31, 2015 with the option of two one-year extensions, if the council wishes. The term of the agreement is shorter than with the trash pick up since the recycling market tends to change, Casey said.
This contract with Trinity is a guarantee that the township will be paid for its recycling.
The township went out to bid for both its trash pick up and recycling; three companies bid on trash pickup and 13 on recycling.
A different system discussed
The township picks up what are called “white goods” once each month. These include large items such as appliances. Casey said residents might get a new refrigerator and put the old one out but have to wait three weeks for the pick up. The township might consider either a sticker program where residents pay a $15 fee to have these items picked up on demand throughout the year or have them picked up twice a month, he said.
Councilman Lou Signorino had earlier suggested an on-call option where residents would let the township know when they needed the service and the pick up would be made.
Councilwoman CarlLa Horton said she’s been living in the township for 23 years and has never had a problem with pick ups. Casey assured her there are residents who have complained about this.
No change in recycling
The township considered changing its recycling process from the current one where residents separate items themselves, putting bottles, cans and plastics out one week and paper and cardboard the next. They considered “single stream recycling” where no sorting is needed and all recyclable materials go into one bin for pickup. That was expensive - actually costing the township money instead of bringing revenue in. Councilwoman Ada Erik said other towns have gone to the single stream system and are sorry they did. Mayor Bettina Bieri said the current system works.
“We have a system and we’re very good at it,” Bieri commented.