Preparing for Pay As You Throw
IN THE CITY
by Dana Fowler
With the City Council passage of the 2011 budget and the upcoming implementation of Pay As You Throw (PAYT), we know that there are many questions about the changes that are going to occur regarding solid waste disposal. This column will address some of those changes leading up to PAYT.
First, the Transfer Station will continue operating as it does today until PAYT starts. When PAYT starts in Presque Isle, the Transfer Station will close. This means that there will no longer be a garbage truck or wood stockpile at the Transfer Station after March 5, 2011. However, the Recycling Center will continue operations just like it does today. The Recycling Center operations include the recycling and universal waste functions inside the building as well as the scrap metal recycling roll-off container outside the building.
For those that already have a 2010 Transfer Station permit, you can purchase a new decal that will keep your 2010 decal valid until March 5, 2011. The cost of the new decal is $25. In order to use the decal permit, you must affix both the 2010 decal inside your windshield and the new decal on the outside of the windshield right next to the 2010 decal. If you do not have a 2010 Transfer Station decal, you can still use the Transfer Station by paying a fee of $2 per bag or $15 for a “single-use” permit. Single-use permits are for volumes of waste that exceed seven trash bags.
Pay As You Throw is planned to start on March 7, 2011 in Presque Isle. PAYT is primarily intended for single family homes, mobile homes, and apartment buildings of four units or less, but it may apply to some other entities on a case-by-case basis. PAYT is a method of trash disposal that is based on unit pricing meaning you pay by the bag rather than a flat monthly rate for curbside collection. The less you throw away, the more you will save because you will purchase fewer PAYT bags.
When you purchase the PAYT bags at local stores, the cost of the bag includes collection and disposal. Your PAYT bags will be picked up weekly by either Gil’s Sanitation or Star City Sanitation, who will be under contract with the City. You will not pay the waste hauler for the collection of the PAYT bags.
Recycling at curbside will be provided at no cost to homeowners. Blue Bags for recycling are provided at no cost and will be collected by the contracted waste hauler on the same day that your PAYT bags are collected. The more you recycle, the less you throw away, so the more that you will save.
Many of the questions that have been asked by the public have now been placed on the City’s website as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Check the City web page at http://www.presqueisle.govoffice2.com/ or contact us at 760-2712 if you have additional questions.
Dana Fowler is the solid waste director for the city of Presque Isle. He can be contacted at 760-2712 or via e-mail at dfowler@presqueisleme.us.
