by Dora Bouboulis

As a Selectboard candidate, I want to share my thoughts on "Pay As You Throw."

Pay as you throw:

• It will cost the average resident more.

• Cost shift - taxes do not go down.

• No real savings - If the recycling market continues to decline, curbside recycling collection may end up costing the same as trash.

• Adds stress to middle and low-income families at a time when folks are really struggling to survive financially.

• The town does not have enough resources available to enable residents who do not have vehicles to recycle. This is particularly true for downtown, which does not get served by town trash collection.

What we can do:

• Lead by example- The town of Brattleboro has done very little to encourage recycling. We need recycling receptacles on public property. There should be ”Please Recycle” signs all over town. We need a town composting facility. We need to find a location to bring back the recycling containers in WB.

• Use interns and Vista volunteers to create a program that incorporates leadership, education and incentives.

• Work with businesses and organizations to reduce the amount of material that goes into the waste stream. In particular, using recyclable or compostable containers for food sales and having recycling bins available.

• Honor and recognize businesses that are already doing this – Brattleboro Area Farmer’s Market and Chelsea Royal Diner.

• Work with service organizations to create service projects related to reducing trash and increasing recycling.

• Identify needs for disposing of non-recyclable material and work with business and community organizations to develop local businesses that reuse materials from the waste stream.

• Work with WSWMD to encourage providing services to recycle more kinds of items than presently available.

• Educate and organize community members to be part of the solution.

“Pay as you Throw” is a punitive measure. People do not like to be told what to do, especially Vermonters. The citizens of Brattleboro are generous and are very willing to step up to the plate when asked. We know we need to reduce waste. It will save the town money and preserve the environment. This can be accomplished much more effectively through community building. I propose the 25% Garbage Challenge: every business and individual will be asked to pledge to reduce the amount of material they contribute to the waste stream by 25%. This would address all waste, not just recycling.