The town of Plymouth implemented a SMART/PAYT program in July 2013 at its three transfer stations and introduced curbside collection in January 2014 to address issues with high waste disposal costs and low recycling rates. The PAYT program resulted in a 43% decrease in municipal solid waste and a 36% increase in recycling in the first 8 months. Curbside collection led to a 45% decrease in waste and a 19% increase in recycling in the first 2 months. Plymouth's recycling rate doubled from 15% to 30% after program implementation. Participation in the curbside program has grown 6% since starting in January 2014.

1. Town of Plymouth
Municipal Waste Diversion
2014 MassRecycle
Gregory Smith
Solid Waste Manager
508-830-4162x100
gsmith@townhall.plymouth.ma.us

2. Introduction
 Background- why change the way trash is disposed?
 3 waste disposal options
 SMART Program
 Slides-
 SMART/PAYT results
 Curbside results
 Plymouth’s recycling rate increase
 Compliance issues
 New enrollees for curbside program
 Conclusion

3. Solid Waste Management
Background- Why change the way waste is disposed?
 Town operated 3 transfer stations
 Expiration of County Lease at one facility
 Expiring low-cost SEMASS contract Jan 2015
 $25.33/ton
 Low recycling and high MSW disposal rates
 Selectmen task DPW to evaluate options
 Do nothing, close one or two transfer facilities,
consider curbside, evaluate PAYT

4. 3 Waste Disposal Options
 Developed 3 waste disposal options in conjunction
with:
 Public outreach
 Held precinct meetings/met with other audiences to get
feedback on alternatives as they developed
 Evaluated past studies and reports (PAYT had
been contemplated in Plymouth before)
 Collaborated with MA DEP staff (MAC)
 Evaluated other communities’ programs
 Worcester, Middletown, RI and other towns
 Learn lessons- what worked and what didn’t

5. 3 Waste Disposal Options
 Option 1-
 Operate three transfer stations with PAYT
 Would require town to site, design and construct new transfer
station to replace one that was closing
 Option 2-
 Close all three transfer stations
 Curbside/PAYT program beginning Jan 2014
 Public adamant about keeping open one transfer station
 Option 3-
 Close two of three transfer stations Jan 2014
 Initiate PAYT starting July 2013
 Initiate curbside with PAYT starting Jan 2014

6. SMART/PAYT Program
 SMART/PAYT Program implemented at all three
transfer stations on July 1, 2013
 Curbside collection introduced on January 1, 2014
 ABC, Inc. is contractor
 Residents may opt for curbside, transfer station drop off,
or combination of both
 Orange PAYT bags available at 22 retail locations
 $6.25 for five 30-gallon bags
 $6.25 for eight 15-gallon bags

7. Plymouth SMART-PAYT Results
MSW & Recycling—First 8 months
During first 8 months of PAYT, MSW decreased by 43%
and recycling increased by 36%

8. Curbside Collection Results
First 2 months
During first 2 months of curbside collection, MSW
decreased by 45% and recycling increased by 19%

9. Plymouth SMART-PAYT Results
Recycling Rate
Recycling rate doubled, from 15% before PAYT to 30%
after implementation (Commonwealth Average is currently
30%).

10. Curbside Collection Results
Compliance
Compliance issues had deceased 63 percent
since reporting began in mid-February 2014
but have risen 55 percent this past week
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
NumberofViolations
Feb
14-
28,
2014
Mar
7-13,
2014
Mar
21-28
Apr
7-11
Orange Bag Violations

11. New Enrollees for Curbside
Participation in Curbside program has increased from 4,950 on Jan 1st,
2014 to more than 5,290 participants by the beginning of April (a 6%
increase). Anticipate 6,000+ total participants by July 1, 2014.
4700
4800
4900
5000
5100
5200
5300
FY
2013
10-
Jan
22-
Jan
3-
Feb
13-
Feb
25-
Feb
7-
Mar
19-
Mar
31-
Mar
10-
Apr
22-
Apr
New Curbside Enrollees

12. Conclusion
 PAYT has seen MSW reductions of 43% and recycling
increases of 36% between July 2013 and February 2014
 Town’s recycling rate doubled, from 15% before PAYT to
30% after implementation
 5% increase in participating households since PAYT
implemented
 Between July 2013 and Feb 2014 the drop-off PAYT
program has resulted in cost savings of $100,440
 Anticipate 6,000+ enrollees before July 2014 for curbside
collection program
 Annual curbside collection fee will be approximately $170
for FY 2015- considerably less expensive than private
subscription service in Plymouth