Solid Waste and Recycling
Greetings;
Dedicated in memory of Richard Haines and Dan McCleod.
It is with pleasure that I submit to you this report of the Solid Waste and Recycling Facility for the fiscal year 2005.
Once again the people of Gray have proven their commitment to keeping disposal costs down while protecting the environment by achieving a recycling rate in excess of 55%! For the past two years, Gray’s recycling percentage has equaled or surpassed 380 of 400 reporting municipalities/regions. Truly an awesome achievement!
During FY ’05 we began the stockpiling and processing of wood waste on site, which resulted in the savings of almost $20,000 in transportation and disposal costs. This material, after it is run through a large commercial grinder, is loaded into trucks and hauled to wood burning power plants in Livermore Falls and Stratton, Maine. A couple days of inconvenience while the loading takes place and the normal exit is blocked off seems well worth the financial savings realized. FY ’06 should realize even greater savings as alternative fuels such as wood waste become more in demand. To keep the quality of our material high, it is imperative that pressure treated lumber and non-wood debris be kept separate from the main woodpile.
Also during this time the facility began a collection program for brush and tree limbs. Although there is a nominal fee for the disposal of these materials, I believe it is a far better option to the public than was previously available. The leaf-composting program started in FY ’04 has become very popular and the finished product a beautiful (if I do say so myself) soil amendment that is available on a first come basis.
We have added rechargeable batteries to the materials handled for recycling and are expanding the acceptable plastics to include all numbered containers, #1 through #7.
The State of Maine has passed legislation requiring mercury containing devices be kept from the waste stream and recycled. These materials include but are not limited to; fluorescent lamps, thermostats, mercury thermometers, and temperature control devices found mainly in gas stoves. Also legislation regarding cathode ray tubes, i.e. televisions and computer monitors, has been passed requiring the separation of these items for recycling.
Regional Waste Systems, Inc., which Gray is a shareholder of, has hired a new General Manager and restructured its Board of Directors. I am very optimistic that this new combination will work in the best interest of the owners (YOU) and we will see a reduction in the cost of trash disposal in the coming years.
In closing, I wish to thank the men with whom I work for their dedication and commitment to the goal of providing friendly, environmentally sound service to the peoples of Gray. These men give up every weekend; work in temperatures ranging from 20 degrees below zero to 95 above, rain, snow, sleet, and howling winds, and manage to keep a sense of humor. Without their commitment this operation would be mediocre at best, so, Thank You!
Respectfully Submitted,
Randy J. Cookson, Solid Waste Director
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