Pay as you throw?

[Thespis]

This sounds like the town is trying to get people to start recycling, which is a scam (except for aluminum cans). Recycling costs more, and pollutes more than regular trash processing. So no, it encourages people into following another government led misconception.

If you want me to back up the recycling thing I will. I don't have time to do it right now, though. It's time to go home for the day. I can do it tonight, though.

Oh, there's a second season Bullshit episode that explains it pretty well, if you want to go looking for it.

[Tunga]

There I was, back on the "group W" bench again.

[Thespis]

I know some of these are dated, but they're still relevant.

http://www.cato.org/dailys/8-27-97.html

http://www.cato.org/dailys/4-25-97.html

http://www.libertyhaven.com/politicsandcurrentevents/environmentalismorconservation/recycling.shtml

http://www.taemag.com/issues/articleid.17823/article_detail.asp

[Dreepa]

This sounds like the town is trying to get people to start recycling, which is a scam (except for aluminum cans). Recycling costs more, and pollutes more than regular trash processing. So no, it encourages people into following another government led misconception.

If you want me to back up the recycling thing I will. I don't have time to do it right now, though. It's time to go home for the day. I can do it tonight, though.

Oh, there's a second season Bullshit episode that explains it pretty well, if you want to go looking for it.

What about the issue that the towns pays $X for each ton of garbage. But gets paid $Y ton of recycling.
For the town....that makes a big difference.

[Thespis]

$X for each town of garbage. But gets paid $Y town of recycling.

Do you mean "ton" instead of "town" here?

I'm only speculating, but I'd imagine that the savings the town would make on recycling would be off-set by the overhead of the recycling process (i.e. worker costs, processing centers, equipment, etc.).

[Dreepa]

Yes I meant ton thanks.

My town is looking into I am looking at ways of refuting it.
The town already has a recycling area. So no new money or people.

[Thespis]

Yes I meant ton thanks.

My town is looking into I am looking at ways of refuting it.
The town already has a recycling area. So no new money or people.

That's an uphill battle, I'm afraid.

I don't have anything else that a town government would go for. I'll think about it and post again if I think of something.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

[Zork]

$X for each town of garbage. But gets paid $Y town of recycling.

Do you mean "ton" instead of "town" here?

I'm only speculating, but I'd imagine that the savings the town would make on recycling would be off-set by the overhead of the recycling process (i.e. worker costs, processing centers, equipment, etc.).

My town's recycling service pays for itself.  They recycle a lot more than just cans and bottles, they also do cardboard, paper, branches, and electronics.  Total of 6 part time employees who make $7.50/hr 6 hours per week, 46 weeks per year

Of course, they don't have to pay for trash pickup, since an outside company (but not paid by the town) does that.

[Dreepa]

That is the argument here in my town.  In 2009 the trash per ton fee is going to double so they want to increase recycling (which is revenue) and lower trash.

My fear is this. Let's say they spend $500K on trash dept now.  They will cut that dept's budget and then the trash program will pay for itself.  All well and good.

But then in the other side the town will say.. Hmm where can we put this $500K per year?  It will NEVER enter their minds that we should lower the taxes by $500K.  When I brought this up last night... they scoffed at me.  I told them that I would be the person who speaks up FOR PAYT if they meet three conditions.
1.  PAYT is revenue neutral it neither costs or raises money for the town.
2.  The budget for the trash dept is removed from the budget 100%.
3.  No increase in spending in the 2007 budget.

I don't think that they will like #3.

[Thespis]

I think you may be omitting other inherent cost, like transportation costs (including vehicle emissions), and maintenance of the processing centers.

But, an alternate strategy might be to argue against the effectiveness of recycling itself (see the articles I posted previously), and ask why you'd punish people for not participating in an unnecessary exercise, essentially wasting their time in sorting.

[Dreepa]

In a town here the recycling revenue and the PAYT method cover the maintence (or very nearly).  They used to spend a HUGE amount for trash (a few million) and now they spend about $80K. (I emailed the town for the exact figures).

Also if the town saves money I don't think that they will care about the big picture.
It costs money to put it into a landfill and it doesn't cost if they sell it to someone to recycle.  That is a powerful arguement in a town trying to control costs.