Permit fees, tipping fees, food waste & composting programs
By Zilana Lee
In recent weeks, many Greenwich residents have found themselves spending a great deal of time at home observing precautionary measures for the pandemic. Some have taken the opportunity to do some spring cleaning, clearing out attics and garages, and finding themselves taking trips to the Holly Hill waste disposal and recycling facility.
Various changes to the facility have been implemented amid COVID-19, such as new traffic patterns and a requirement to wear a mask. In addition, other changes are about to come into effect regarding fees and a new food scrap recycling program.
On May 11, the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) revised Chapter 9, Section 5 of the Town Code in regard to Waste Collection and Disposal. As of July 1, 2020, residents will be required to obtain a new permit costing $25 per household in order to drop off acceptable solid waste at the Town disposal area. The permit application can be accessed on the Town of Greenwich Public Works website (https://www.greenwichct.gov/265/Waste-Disposal-Recycling). No permits will be issued at Holly Hill.
In addition, other fees have been implemented for the disposal of solid waste by licensed waste collectors who have to pay a tipping fee on each ton of acceptable solid waste. These amendments to the section will expire on October 31, 2021 unless extended by the RTM.
The town has also taken a step forward towards becoming more sustainably responsible by participating in the Food Scrap Recycling pilot program beginning Monday.
This program is being launched in partnership with Waste Free Greenwich, Greenwich Recycling Advisory Board, and Greenwich Green & Clean. The drop off program will be voluntary and free to all residents. The mission behind this initiative is to turn food scraps into nutrient rich compost, increase awareness about the benefits of food composting, and change food waste habits.
Residents can collect food scraps at home in a container and bring them to the Food Scrap Recycling drop-off site at Holly Hill. From the facility, the material will be sent to a commercial composting facility. Acceptable food scraps for disposal at the drop-off site include meat and poultry, dairy, eggshells, coffee grounds, and leftover, spoiled, and expired food. For the full list of what you can dispose, go to https://www.wastefreegreenwich.org/rot.
In addition to the new fees and Food Scrap Recycling Program, there have been changes to programming. Household Hazardous Waste Day, which takes place annually in the spring and was previously scheduled to take place on May 2, 2020 in the Island Beach Parking Lot at Arch Street has been postponed. A new date will be posted to the Town of Greenwich website.
Also, the Book Swap program is temporarily on hold, but residents may recycle books per recycling guidelines if needed.
Holly Hill Facility is located at 4 Holly Hill Lane behind the CVS on West Putnam Road and continues its normal operation hours: M-F 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM and Sat 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM. To prevent traffic, the facility strongly recommends going on weekdays.
