By Paul Tuthill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-956721.mp3
Chicopee, MA – Chicopee Massachusetts is implementing a single stream recycling system next month. This system, where all recyclables are put into one large container for curbside collection has grown nationally over the last decade to the point were 64 percent of the country has access to a single stream program. But Chicopee will be just the second community in Western Massachusetts to implement it WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports .
When Chicopee residents start tossing all recyclables, glass, paper, plastics, metals, into a single large rolling cart for curbside pickup their community will become just the 51st in the state to adopt the popular recycling system and just the second after Springfield..in Western Massachusetts
Catherine Skiba, of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection says there is no question the single stream system, because of its convenience can dramatically increase recycling
But, the obstacle is the systems large start up costs
To help communities make the jump to single stream, DEP offers technical assistance, and some money. Chicopee received a 100 thousand dollar grant from DEP. That covered about a tenth of the start up costs. 300 thousand dollars came from profit sharing from past recycling, and city taxpayers foot the rest. The city bought 18 thousand 96 gallon rolling carts for deliver to residences during the month of March and is also spending money on a public education program prior to the first collections on April 4th
Chicopee's superintendent of Public Works, Stanley Kulig , says the costs will eventually be recovered..
Kulig says Chicopee has a pretty good recycling rate, but single stream should entice more people , who do no recycling now, to participate
Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette hopes to see the city's recycling rate increase by 35 percent .
Springfield's recycling rate doubled when it went to a single stream recycling system . Springfield phased the system in to spread out the capital costs. Now officials hope to incentivize more recycling by switching to a graduated fee system for trash disposal..
Mass. DEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmel told state legislators at a budget hearing in Pittsfield last month that if Massachusetts expands its bottle deposit law to include water and juice containers, revenue from it would be used to fund recycling programs in local communities and help recyclers with new markets and technology..