2010 Annual Town Report 

The Solid Waste District was formed in 1989 to help Franklin County towns manage all aspects of their solid waste – recyclables, organics, hazardous waste, wastewater treatment sludge, and trash.  We continue to provide assistance to the twenty-two member towns through administrative support, professional consultation, trainings, and outreach to residents and businesses.  In 2010 we welcomed a new member town, Leverett. 

A review of recycling tonnage for 2010 shows a continued decline of 10% from 2009.  Historically, when the economy is in a downturn trash disposal and recycling tonnages are lower than normal.  District residents still showed their commitment to recycling by diverting 1,900 tons of paper and 1,100 tons of mixed containers from regional disposal facilities.  The 3,000 tons of recyclable material was processed at the Springfield Materials Recycling Facility.  Recycling market prices rebounded in 2010.  District towns received a total of $116,400 in revenue for their recyclables.

In 2010, the District sponsored a spring and fall “Clean Sweep” collection for bulky items, electronics, tires, appliances, and anything too big to fit into a trash bag.  Over 60 tons of material was recycled or disposed of from the two collections.  A total of 542 households participated.

We also held our annual household hazardous waste collection in September 2010.  This event allows residents to properly dispose of toxic cleaners, automotive products, pesticides, and other toxic products.  Over 300 households participated in this event.  Almost 50% of participants were using the collection for the first time.

We continue to work with public schools to improve their recycling programs as well as to implement programs to collect food waste for composting.  The District also provides hands-on assistance to businesses and institutions that want to recycle or compost their waste.  Recycling and composting assistance was provided to 30 public events, including the Franklin County Fair.

If you have questions about District programs, call us at 772-2438, visit our website at www.franklincountywastedistrict.org or visit us at 50 Miles Street in Greenfield.

Jan Ameen - Executive Director
Chris Boutwell, Montague - Chair
Andrea Donlon, Buckland - Treasurer