Billerica officials concerned recycle push may be too expensive … - Trading Markets (press release)

Click here BILLERICA, Nov 10, 2008 (The Sun - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) — CVA | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating — As Billerica looks to slash its trash budget, a debate is brewing over how aggressive the town should be in encouraging its residents to recycle. While Alkhatib said he plans to revisit the $200 fee, he also has made it clear to selectmen that the only way to increase the town's recycling rate is to implement what he calls an "aggressive" plan. Billerica produced 17,730 tons of trash last fiscal year, more than any other community in Greater Lowell except Lowell, which produced 40,000. The amount of trash produced by Billerica residents has decreased by 2,500 tons since a the program was instituted, saving the town $177,500 in disposal fees. Although the consortium initially decided to choose Haverhill-based COVANTA as its new trash-disposal company, Wheelabrator has agreed to lower its price to $67 per ton for the last year of the contract for Billerica, which could save the town $100,000 for fiscal year 2010. read more

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