City of Saco extra cart policy

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City of Saco extra cart policy

The following is a message from City Administrator Richard Michaud:

The Saco City Council is working to comprehensively address solid waste issues. The primary goal of Saco's trash and recycling program is to reduce the amount of waste sent for disposal through increased recycling. One strategy to achieve this goal is to reduce the amount of waste by restricting the amount allowed per household. On October 7, 2002 the Saco City Council voted to amend Saco's solid waste code as follows:

181-2. Container Specifications
All garbage and rubbish containers required by this article shall be designated, provided and owned by the City of Saco; all residents receiving municipal solid waste services are required to use only the City-provided containers for weekly refuse collection. These containers hold a capacity of up to 65-gallons and shall not be filled to a gross weight of more than 150 pounds each. Each residential unit will be allowed one City-designated container per pickup. Decisions to permit a second container will be made on a case-by-case basis for exceptionally large households, and in those cases, after a solid waste inspection by a Saco Public Works staff member to determine that the need remains when maximum recycling is being done.

New Program Exceptions The Department of Public Works (DPW) has developed the following guidelines for distribution of trash and recycling carts.

A 65-gallon trash container is considered the standard for a single-family residence.

Larger Households - Exceptions for a second can are allowed on a case-by-case basis, only after maximum recycling is achieved.

The criteria and procedure for determining qualification is as follows:

1. Size of family - Exceptions are made for households of 6 or more members, once it is determined by a DPW staff member that maximum recycling is achieved.

a. A family is eligible for a larger container if they are 6 or more people sharing the 65-gallon cart and request an assessment. If an assessment reveals maximum recycling is being achieved, a larger or additional container will be assigned.

b. When a family of fewer than 6 people expresses difficulty managing to keep the waste generation at the 65-gallon level, a DPW staff member can offer to evaluate if they are doing the best recycling they can. If an assessment reveals maximum recycling is being achieved, a larger or additional container will be assigned.

2. Maximum Recycling - Determined by examining the items tossed into the green trash cart.

a. The evaluator must confirm that the family is separating all recyclable items from their trash. The list of recyclable items is described in the literature delivered with every trash cart as part of the City's trash and recycling program. See brochure "City of Saco Curbside Recycling Program." The list includes newspapers and inserts, magazines, catalogs, flyers and similar paper, telephone directories, office paper, school paper, unwanted mail, cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, paper egg cartons, cardboard six-pack holders, steel and aluminum food and beverage cans, glass jars and bottles, and plastic bottles.

b. Should the DPW staff member determine that all recyclable paper, cardboard, metal, glass and plastic accepted in the Saco recycling program have been sorted into their respective recycling carts, a second or larger cart will be provided by the City.

Steps to take
1. Contact Saco Public Works to request an evaluation. The office is located at 351 North Street in Saco and can be reached by calling (207) 284-6641, fax 282-8212.

2. DPW staff member evaluates trash and recycling containers to see if sorting procedures are correct and maximum recycling is achieved.

3. A larger or second cart is assigned if determined necessary by the DPW staff member.

Questions about the trash and recycling program can be emailed to swojcoski@sacomaine.org