The Town Council approved changes to the Solid Waste and Recycling regulations (Chapter 94) at their December 8, 2009 meeting.  You can view the revised regulations at our website by visiting www.tolland.org/solid-waste-recycling.

 The most significant change is that stolen Blue Recycling Containers will be replaced at no cost to the homeowner if a police report is filed and a copy provided to the Town.  This is a change to section 94-22.  This applies only to Blue Recycling Containers, not Green Refuse Containers.  This policy change is consistent with trying to encourage recycling by residents of Tolland.

 Minor changes were required to make more consistent and clear the damaged container language in sections 94-17 and 94-22.  As is current practice, if the contractor damages the container during operations they will repair or replace.  This will handle most of the damaged container issues.  If for some reason a resident damages a container by negligence (hot ashes is an example) then the resident will be responsible.  All other damages, including snowplow damage for example, will be the responsibility of the resident as well. 

Other minor changes were made for sections, 94-18, 94-23, 94-24, and 94-27 which included changing the regulations to be current with our solid waste hauler’s operations and other clarifying language.  For example, waste oil from engines is now a bulky waste item.  During times of inclement weather, containers shall be removed from curbside as soon as possible is another clarification.

As you know, the Single Stream Recycling program began on July, 1 2009.  The goal was to reduce our overall refuse costs and increase recycling.  Through the first three months of FY2010 we have saved $9,300 over last year and reduced our refuse tonnage by almost 8%.