Dartmouth, MA

Trading Places: Trash and Recycling

To address fiscal challenges and extend the life of its landfill, the Town of Dartmouth MA introduced its PAYT program with automated recycling collection in October 2007.  As a result, the Town reduced its trash budget by paying less in tipping fees and by selling its recycling.  Now, the Town’s trash collection program is self-sufficient and runs independent of the general fund.

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By the Numbers

  • Population 34,000
  • Median Income/Household $71,000
  • Bag-based PAYT with curbside trash and dual-stream recycling collection

Results

  • 59% drop in solid waste tonnage
  • 50% increase in recycling tonnage
  • 150% increase in the recycling rate
 
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