Sandwich residents, officials laud ‘pay as you throw’
Cape Cod Times, January 9, 2012

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The Case of the Missing Garbage
Concord Monitor, June 26, 2011

Residents in Concord, NH, have been throwing away less and recycling more since the summer of 2009, when the city implemented the WasteZero Trash Metering System. As the Concord Monitor reports, "city government estimates 4,200 tons of plastic, paper and other materials will be recycled by residents in the fiscal year that ends Thursday, up 52.6 percent from the nearly 2,800 tons recycled in the last year before pay-as-you-throw was introduced. The city estimates 8,150 tons of residential trash will be thrown out in fiscal 2011, a drop of 45 percent from the more than 14,800 tons picked up in fiscal 2009."

Brewer: Penalty Still Less Than Cost of Sending Trash to PERC Plant
Bangor Daily News, June 25, 2011

The Bangor Daily News reports that WasteZero Trash Metering in Brewer, ME, has "exceeded expectations" in reducing the city's municipal solid waste. Finance Director Karen Fussell says the program, combined with Brewer's new zero-sort recycling system, has been "wildly successful." "With the overwhelming success of pay-as-you-throw, the city is $26,000 to $27,000 under budget," Fussell said.

Talking Trash in Sandwich
Cape Cod Times, June 21, 2011

A columnist for the Cape Cod Times says officials in Sandwich, MA, should be recognized for implementing WasteZero Trash Metering. "Town officials have gotten out in front of an issue and have taken responsible steps to deal with it..Doing nothing would mean either higher taxes or increased fees."

Waste Management Executive Says Dumping Yellow Bags Will Cost County More
Hartsville Messenger, June 9, 2011

The Hartsville Messenger (SC) interviews WasteZero President Mark A. Dancy regarding the true value of Trash Metering to Darlington County, SC. The County is considering abandoning the program. "At a time when counties can least afford to waste money, throwing away $250,000 - $480,000 per year in additional landfill costs is something that must be understood and considered," said Dancy.

In Sandwich, Pay-As-You-Throw is a Go
Sandwich Broadsider, May 5, 2011

Sandwich, MA, will join dozens of other towns and cities statewide this summer when it launches WasteZero Trash Metering. As the Sandwich Broadsider explains, town officials expect the program to increase the town's recycling rate by as much as 70 percent and have a dramatic impact on the tipping fees the town pays to dispose of trash. "In my opinion, the sooner you start [Trash Metering], the sooner you're going to start avoiding the cost of tipping fees," said DPW Director Paul Tilton.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle-More
Newsday, April 20, 2011

An editorial in Newsday cites a new Stony Brook University study that found that the leading recycling communities on Long Island, NY, have WasteZero Trash Metering programs in place. Newsday says other Long Island municipalities should consider adopting Trash Metering.

Stony Brook Study Finds LI Recycling Decreasing
North Shore Sun, April 20, 2011

The North Shore Sun reports on a Stony Brook University study regarding Long Island, New York, recycling rates, which have seen an overall decline in recent years. Researchers found that Long Island communities with the highest recycling rates had WasteZero Trash Metering pricing systems in place, in which residents pay to dispose garbage but can drop off recyclables at no charge. "Paying to dispose of garbage, but getting free recycling tends to increase the amount of recyclables collected," said David Tonjes, a Stony Brook researcher

Tiverton Council Approves Vendor for Pay As You Throw Program
Herald News, March 31, 2011

The Herald News reports that Tiverton, RI, will implement the WasteZero Trash Metering System on May 16. "WasteZero is in 300 communities and has an excellent track record," said Department of Public Works Director Stephen Berlucchi. The goal of the program, explains the Herald News, "is to encourage recycling and decrease the trash tonnage, which will extend the life of the landfill."

South Hadley Pay-As-You-Throw Trash Program Launches Soon
Springfield Republican, March 25, 2011

As South Hadley, MA, prepares for the launch of WasteZero Trash Metering this summer, town officials are anticipating significant benefits to both the environment and the town's budget. As the Springfield Republican reports, South Hadley will be joining more than 130 Massachusetts communities that have already adopted some form of Trash Metering.

Belt Tightening Throws Limelight on PAYT
Waste & Recycling News, March 21, 2011

The industry journal Waste & Recycling News interviews leading experts on Trash Metering, including WasteZero President Mark Dancy, and suggests that the current economic climate makes Trash Metering a viable solution for a rapidly growing number of municipalities nationwide. "We are seeing more interest in doing the programs particularly where the immediate and long-term financial savings are so substantial that towns can't ignore them," said Dancy.

Most Cities in Connecticut Aren't Meeting Recycling Standards. Why?
Hartford Advocate, March 16, 2011

An examination by the Hartford Advocate reveals that hardly any of the state's 169 towns have surpassed 40 percent recycling despite a 2000 state law requiring it. Among the handful of communities that have gone beyond 40 percent recycling is Waste Zero Trash Metering community Stonington, CT.

PAYT Revisited: Early Returns on the Program
Littleton Independent, March 6, 2011

Littleton, Massachusetts, officials report there was a dramatic 40 percent decrease in trash tonnage in the first three months of the town's new WasteZero Trash Metering program. As the Littleton Independent explains, the Board of Selectmen endorsed the switch to Trash Metering last summer, acting on the recommendation of a study group that advised it was the best way to respond to rising solid waste disposal costs.

The Payoff of Pay-As-You-Throw
Natick Bulletin & Tab, March 4, 2011

The Natick Bulletin & Tab explores the six-year history of the WasteZero Trash Metering System in Natick, MA, reporting that the program "has lived up to expectations, saving the town money and reducing solid waste each year since its inception in 2004." Town Administrator Martha White said, "It's a very successful program. Natick is actually used as a model by (the state) Department of Environmental Protection for other communities."

Tiverton Finalizing 'Pay-As-You-Throw' Trash Plan
Herald News, March 2, 2011

The Herald News examines Tiverton, Massachusetts's new WasteZero Trash Metering System, which is set to begin this year. "WasteZero has a great track record," said Department of Public Works Director Stephen Berlucchi. "This program has been successful everywhere."

Dartmouth is Committed to Recycling
Standard-Times, Feb. 23, 2011

The Standard-Times reports that Dartmouth (MA) WasteZero System participants recycled 806.70 tons of commingled plastics, glass, and can items at curbside and another 48.62 tons at the transfer station in 2010.

South Carolina's WasteZero Proposes Pay-As-You-Throw Trash System for Springfield
Springfield Republican, Feb. 20, 2011

The Springfield Republican reports that city officials in Springfield, MA, say the proposed WasteZero Trash Metering System "offers great savings and benefits." City Councilor Timothy J. Rooke said, "We would be fools not to jump at it. I believe this program would be extremely beneficial and rewarding for Springfield." Representatives of WasteZero, meeting with city officials, said the program could save the city and taxpayers $1 million annually in trash disposal costs.

Recycling Quadruples in Brewer
Bangor Daily News, Feb. 15, 2011

The Bangor Daily News reports on the remarkable success of the new WasteZero Trash Metering program in Brewer, ME. Coupled with the city's new zero sort recycling program, Trash Metering has reduced the amount of trash residents are throwing out for curbside collection by half while recycling has quadrupled. "People are just really recycling more," said Finance Director Karen Fussell. "We were extremely pleased with those results. They were beyond our expectations."

Brewer Trash Down, Recycling Up
WLBZ-TV Bangor, ME, Feb. 15, 2011

WLBZ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Bangor, ME, looks at the new WasteZero Trash Metering System in the City of Brewer and finds that the program, combined with the city's new zero sort recycling policy, has quadrupled residential recycling while cutting trash tonnage by half.

Pay-As-You-Throw Garbage Pickup
Examiner.com, Feb. 11, 2011

An Examiner.com columnist writes that, in Decatur, GA, WasteZero Trash Metering is "a much more fair way than the traditional" flat fee system. "Decatur may be a small town on the outskirts of Atlanta but that town certainly has a smart government."

Several County Towns To 'Pay As You Throw'
Bangor Daily News, Feb. 10, 2011

The Bangor Daily News gives an overview of the new WasteZero Trash Metering System that is set to begin in several Aroostook County, ME, towns, and that local officials believe will cut taxpayer expenses and encourage more residents to recycle. The program was proposed last year to prevent a future increase in property taxes and to extend the life of the landfill.

Taking Out the Trash
Maine Edge, Feb. 2, 2011

A columnist for the Maine Edge explains how the WasteZero System in Brewer, ME, has helped her household reduce its trash by half.

Freetown Selectmen Accept Resignation of Police Officer
Herald News, Jan. 31, 2011

As the Herald News (MA) reports, town officials in Freetown, MA, say the WasteZero Trash Metering System has, in its first year, helped reduce curbside trash by 59 percent. Interim Town Administration John Healey says the program is also running at a projected $50,000 surplus.

Northborough to Keep Current Trash System
MetroWest Daily News, Jan. 25, 2011

The MetroWest Daily News (MA), reports that town officials in Northborough, MA, have voted to continue operating the WasteZero Trash Metering System, citing the system's fairness to the elderly who throw away less trash and to financially poorer residents. Under the WasteZero System, residents pay $1.50 for a small bag in which to throw out trash and $3 for a large bag. The proposed alternative system would have seen residents paying an annual fee of $315 for a 65-gallon trash bin and $200 for a 35-gallon bin. According to selectmen vice chairman Jeff Amberson, the chief concern of the proposed alternative system was the inequities of the container system. "The people who we want to impact the least are the people who would be impacted the most," he said. He said the proposed system would have increased the yearly charge for those who only throw away a little bit of trash by as much as 156 percent.

More Recycling Means Less Trash in Freetown
Standard-Times, Dec. 13, 2010

The Standard-Times reports on the new WasteZero System in Freetown, MA, where household trash generation has been reduced by 56 percent and the town's recycling rate has gone up 29 percent.

Brewer Kicks Off Pay-As-You-Throw Trash Program Jan. 3
Bangor Daily News, Dec. 12, 2010

The Bangor Daily News takes a look at the new WasteZero Trash Metering System in Brewer, Maine. By requiring residents to purchase official city trash metering bags to dispose of garbage, the city is following in the footsteps of some 140 other Maine communities.

City Studies Trash-Bag Program
Leader-Herald, Dec. 8, 2010

According to the Leader-Herald, Gloversville, New York, city leaders say they want to adopt a Trash Metering program for the city. Common Council members met with a WasteZero company official to discuss the expected financial and environmental impact a WasteZero System would have on Gloversville -- "I'm all for it. I don't think that it's fair that a single elderly lady who puts out one small bag pays the same as a family of six," said Sixth Ward Councilwoman Jean Chain.

PAYT is SMART
MSW Management, Nov.-Dec. 2010

MSW Management examines the results of a new EPA study on Trash Metering that found that Trash Metering cities, even if they already recycle, dispose of about half as much waste as do cities where garbage costs are hidden in taxes. The town manager of a WasteZero community is interviewed.

Recycler of the Year: Gretel Clark
Boston Globe, Nov. 11, 2010

The Boston Globe profiles Gretel Clark, the spark behind Hamilton, Massachusetts's successful WasteZero Trash Metering program.

Mass Recyclers of the Year
Boston Globe, Nov. 4, 2010

WasteZero community Malden, MA, is MassRecycle's Large Municipality Recycler of the Year, reports the Boston Globe. With WasteZero Trash Metering, Malden "increased recycling by 74% and reduced trash by 49%."

Town Explores New Trash Options
Sound and Town Report, Oct. 28, 2010

The financial and environmental benefits of the WasteZero System are discussed in this Sound and Town Report (Westchester, NY) article about Trash Metering - "I think it's really a smart idea to look into," said Town Supervisor Valerie O'Keeffe (R).

Sanford Should Stick it Out With PAYT
Journal Tribune, Oct. 19, 2010

An editorial in the York County (ME) Journal Tribune says, if it were not for the WasteZero Trash Metering System, Sanford would have to raise taxes and/or reduce local services.

Don't Care to Recycle? You May End Up Paying More for Trash
Green Right Now, August 25, 2010

The website Green Right Now discusses the remarkable success of the WasteZero System in Sanford, ME, where residential trash has been reduced by 50 percent and the recycling rate has tripled.

Maine Town Rolls Out Trash Metering
Triple Pundit, August 23, 2010

A Triple Pundit essay about Sanford's WasteZero program argues that Trash Metering "is about fairness - those who use less of something, pay less, while others who create more trash have to pay more to haul it away."

A Maine Town Cuts Trash Going to Landfills by 50%
EcoGeek, August 19, 2010

The website EcoGeek reports on WasteZero Trash Metering (pay-as-you-throw), which has helped Sanford, ME, reduce MSW by 50 percent and increase recycling by 150%.

Pay-As-You-Throw Trash Metering Cuts Landfill Waste by 50% in a Month
Tree Hugger, August 19, 2010

An article in Discovery Network's environmental website TreeHugger takes a look at WasteZero's hugely successful program in Sanford, ME- "It's pretty simple economics that people on both ends of the political spectrum should be able to agree on."

Throwing Money Away While We Go Broke
Patriot Ledger, April 22, 2010

An editorial in the Patriot Ledger argues that the success of a number of WasteZero communities in Massachusetts could and should be replicated elsewhere in the state - "DEP numbers show it does the best job of encouraging recycling."

Are You Ready to Pay to Throw it Away?
Bangor Daily News, April 21, 2010

An article in the Bangor Daily News that examines the financial and environmental impact of Trash Metering in Maine, includes an interview with a WasteZero company official.

Pay-As-You-Throw Programs Prove to Be Successful
Earth911.Com, April 16, 2010

Several WasteZero communities are spotlighted in this Earth911.Com essay, which also features an interview with WasteZero CEO Mark Dancy.

Help Tame My Trash
Huffington Post, April 15, 2010

An essay in the Huffington Post calls the results of the WasteZero System in Concord, NH, "profound," and encourages readers to "lobby your local government" for Trash Metering.

Garbage Plugs Holes in Budget
American City and County, Apr 1, 2010

American City and County looks at the WasteZero Trash Metering System in the city of Malden, MA - "Malden officials report that the program has reduced waste and increased recycling beyond their expectations."

Pay-As-You-Throw Gaining Ground
Waste and Recycling News, March 15, 2010

An article in Waste and Recycling News discusses how WasteZero's Trash Metering System can be a financial boon for municipalities.