Buckfield, Sumner to study single-stream recycling

BUCKFIELD — Single-stream recycling, a method that allows all recyclables to be placed in the same bin, then separated later, may be in the future for the Buckfield-Sumner transfer station.

The issue was discussed during an April 17 meeting of the Buckfield-Sumner Solid Waste Committee. 

Buckfield's interim town manager, Dana Lee, told the committee that switching to a single-stream system would reduce the revenues taken in by the transfer station.

"In my estimation, without any real, full analysis of it, I think it's a net loser right now ...  unless you're setting the stage for the future."

Embarking on the project might also involve significant capital investment, Lee said, especially if the towns needed to purchase and install a new recycling compactor.

The cost of the compactor could be as high as $20,000, according to Nick DiMaio, a member of the Buckfield Budget Committee.

DiMaio is a supporter of the switch to single-stream, and says it would save about 30 percent of the waste currently going to the transfer station.

By reducing the amount of waste, the towns could save money on tipping fees at Mid-Maine Waste Action Corporation (MMWAC) in Auburn, which has lost revenue from towns recently, and may begin to increase fees.

The fact that the station's 1985 waste compactor truck – that usually carries the town's solid waste to MMWAC – is now completely unsafe to operate and  is going up for auction, means that the towns would carry loose loads to MMWAC.

Loose loads have a smaller amount of waste than compacted loads, but are charged the same fees at MMWAC.

A move toward single-stream recycling would also complicate plans to pave the transfer station, Lee said.

The transfer station budget includes $30,000 for paving, but if the towns decided to move ahead with single-stream, the project would have to be delayed in case the move alters the layout of the station.

According to DiMaio, only the front half of the station would be affected if single-stream was implemented.

Members of the committee also cautioned that paving costs could rise in the coming year, so putting off the paving entirely might be unwise.

The committee decided to implement half of the paving plan, completing the backside of the transfer station this year.

Selectmen agreed that they needed more information before making a decision on single-stream recycling.

The committee voted to organize a study that would analyze the benefits of switching to single-stream over a number of years, visit other towns that have adopted single-stream and meet with representatives of recycling companies.