FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2020
Contact:
Robert Goulding, DPW Public Information Manager
RGoulding@burlingtonvt.gov, 802-863-9094
BURLINGTON STUDYING CONSOLIDATED CURBSIDE COLLECTION
PUBLIC MEETING TO BE HELD MARCH 24, 2020
REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND COST ARE KEY PRIORITIES
Burlington, VT – To better serve residents and examine how other communities have implemented waste collection practices, the City of Burlington Department of Public Works (DPW) along with the City of South Burlington Department of Public Works is studying a potential new consolidated system for the collection of residential household trash, recyclables, and food scraps. Currently in Burlington, DPW collects residential recyclables, and residents contract with private haulers to collect residential garbage and compost or haul it to the appropriate facility themselves. Under a consolidated collection system the City would enter into agreements with haulers to consolidate residential trash, recycling and food scraps collection services.
The City of Burlington is undertaking this process following a 2018 City Council resolution in order to determine if consolidated collection can reduce environmental impacts, lower residential costs, and improve infrastructure and noise impacts. In January 2019, Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) procured a consultant on behalf of Burlington and South Burlington to produce a feasibility study and take a closer look at how consolidated collection might work. The study has determined there are likely to be key community benefits, but public input will guide next steps.
Public Works would like to invite residents to a public meeting to discuss the findings of the feasibility study, and address questions and comments.
- Public Meeting Details:
- Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2020
- Time: 6 P.M.
- Location: City Hall – Contois Auditorium
- 149 Church Street, Burlington, VT
- Public Works will schedule an additional meeting later in spring or summer
Residents are encouraged to attend and participate in the community meeting which will include:
- Overview of the Feasibility Study
- Overview of a phone survey conducted in June 2019
- Opportunity for questions and comments
- Overview of next steps as the City considers whether to pursue consolidated collection
Residents who cannot attend the meeting are encouraged to submit questions and comments via email to Lee Perry, Assistant Director for Maintenance for Burlington Public Works at LPerry@burlingtonvt.gov. Written comments sent at least 72 hours in advance of the meetings are encouraged. The feasibility study is available at: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/dpw/Maintenance/Consolidated.
“Every day we strive to provide better, more affordable and more environmentally friendly services for our residents – and consolidated collection is an opportunity many communities like ours have taken,” said Chapin Spencer, Director of Public Works. “Public input is a key component of the process to help guide our decision-making and we look forward to this discussion with the community.”
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