Politics & Government

Town Likely to Ask Residents to Sort Metal and Plastic Recyclables

With scrap metal worth nearly $120 per ton — close to six times more than it was two years ago — town may ask residents to separate recyclables.

In an effort to increase revenue in the town's solid waste department, town leaders informally agreed on Tuesday to require town residents — again — to further separate their commingled recyclables.

The decision, according to Solid Waste Coordinator Jim Bunchuck, could conceivably bring in another $30,000 in additional revenues, mostly from selling back separated metal.

A discussion at Tuesday morning's work session with Bunchuck started off revolving around a private businessman's proposal to contract with the town to bundle and haul its paper recyclables. But the man missed the work session, leaving Town Board members and Bunchuck discussing other ways the department could save or make money.

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Councilman Vincent Orlando originally suggested the idea of segregating plastic and metals to generate separate revenue streams. Currently the two commingled materials are hauled together, leaving Omni Recycling in Babylon — where the town hauls its recyclables — to sort out the materials and reap the rewards.

According to Bunchuck, town residents who recycled through the town were required to separate their metals from plastic from 1991-2006, though the practice stopped after town revenues fell performing the practice. A couple of small baling machines — the type of machines supposed to be pitched to the town board Tuesday morning — owned by the town had given out in the mid 90s to the early 00s, leaving separating metals and plastics an unprofitable venture, and a large expense to start over.

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But with scrap metal prices high right now — roughly six times now what they were tow years ago, Bunchuck said — asking residents to pitch in could be worth it.

Though he did express concern that some savings could be lost if residents decide to abandon recycling over doing more work.

"We have to make sure the revenue is there before we ask residents to do more work," he said.

Concerns were also expressed during Tuesday morning's conversation about the volatility of scrap metal prices.

Councilman Al Krupski said he believe residents will be glad to pitch in.

"This isn't because of our will," said Councilman Al Krupski. "We want to keep revenues up and taxes down. The benefit is for everybody. I think people are going to recognize that to save them on their tax bill."

Supervisor Scott Russell said he is going to contact the contractor in charge of hauling the town's recyclables from the Cutchogue transfer station to ensure it can suit the town's request. A resolution confirming the change in policy is expected to be passed on Oct. 11, at the town board's next meeting.


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