Pay-As-You-Throw Bags
The Town is often asked by residents about the rationale behind the “Pay-As-You-Throw” (PAYT) system at the Recycling and Transfer Station (RTS).
Implemented in June of 1998, the PAYT system in Needham is a program whereby residents using the RTS pay for the disposal of their trash based on the amount of trash they discard rather than a flat fee. All solid waste, except for recyclables, yard waste, and bulky waste (i.e. material that cannot fit into a trash bag), must be disposed of at the RTS in specially marked yellow "Town of Needham" bags sold by local retailers on behalf of the Town.
The PAYT program offers several benefits:
- Encourages Waste Reduction: Since residents pay according to the amount of waste they produce, they are incentivized to reduce the amount of trash they throwaway.
- Promotes Recycling and Composting: Residents are encouraged to increase efforts to recycle and compost as these practices help reduce the amount of trash that needs to be disposed of.
- Environmental Benefits: By diverting waste from disposal, PAYT programs extend the life of existing landfills, decrease air pollution from trash incinerators, and reduce the need for new disposal facilities. As there is an increase in reuse, recycling, and composting, greenhouse gas emissions are also reduced.
- Cost Savings: The PAYT program helps to lower the Town’s waste management costs by reducing the volume of waste that needs to be processed and transported as the Town pays a per ton tipping fee at the incinerator. These tipping fees are projected to rise steeply as trash capacity in New England is reduced.
- Fairness: The PAYT system is fairer as households that produce less waste pay less for waste disposal, while those that produce more waste pay more. This aligns costs with individual consumption and waste generation.
- Promotes Consumption Awareness: The PAYT program make residents more conscious of the waste they generate and fosters a culture of responsibility and awareness. As a result, people become more mindful of purchasing decisions, packaging, and the environmental impact of their choices.
- The PAYT Bags are Greener than Regular Trash Bags: The yellow bags aren’t made from petroleum but rather a waste byproduct from the extraction of natural gas (ethylene, which is then converted to polyethylene). These bags were already a waste product before they were made and this waste is given another life in the form of the yellow bags.
In short, the PAYT trash program helps to encourage responsible waste management behaviors, reduces environmental impacts, and contributes to cost savings for the Town.
The yellow PAYT bags may be purchased in town at Roche Brothers, Sudbury Farms, Needham General Store, Needham Garden and Hardware, Volante Farms and at the Treasurer’s office at Needham Town Hall. The RTS sells rolls of large bags only. The price to purchase a roll of 10 small bags is $11.60 and a roll of 10 large bags is $21.60.
For questions about the PAYT program, please contact DPW Administration at dpwadmin@needhamma.gov.