City of Gloucester to Introduce Enhanced Pay-As-You-Throw Trash Bags

December 17, 2019

City of Gloucester to Introduce

Enhanced Pay-As-You-Throw Trash Bags

—Improved Design and New Color

–No Change in Cost

 

GLOUCESTER, MA (December 17, 2019) – Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken today announced that residents will soon notice a change to their pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) bags.

Over the next several weeks, enhanced bags will become available at bag purchasing locations around town.

The enhanced bags, which will continue to be available in 13 and 36 gallon sizes, will feature new flex technology.  The new flex technology boasts expandable strength, better durability and flexibility.  Additionally, the color of the bags will change from purple to maroon.

These changes are a result of resident feedback and subsequent discussions with our vendor, WasteZero, regarding the City’s need for a better designed product that will reduce the number of bags that may rip and/or tear.

Mayor Romeo Theken said, “The new bags will function better and make it easier for residents to dispose of trash.  Thank you for all the feedback regarding the current product.  You helped drive the decision for this change and we hope that all users find these bags more effective.”

Michael Hale, Director of Public Works said, “The Department of Public Works is constantly trying to improve municipal collection services.  We are pleased to introduce these enhanced bags, at the same cost, to Gloucester residents.”

The costs of the bags will remain the same and can be purchased at any of the following locations.

36 gallon large bags ($2.25 each sold in packs of 5) are available at:

·         Ace Hardware – Gloucester Crossing

·         Annie’s – Concord Street, West Gloucester

·         Braga’s Gas Station – Washington Street

·         Crosby’s Market – Manchester

·         Ed’s Mini Mart – Washington Street

·         Lanesville Package. Store – Washington Street

·         Market Basket – Gloucester Crossing

·         Richdale’s – 120 East Main Street

·         Schooner’s – Essex Route 133

·         7-Eleven – Maplewood Avenue

·         7-Eleven – Bass Avenue

·         Shaw’s – East Gloucester

·         Shaw’s – Railroad Avenue

·         H & S Convenience – 31 Western Avenue

·         Stop & Shop

·         Sunny’s Variety – Railroad Avenue

·         Tedeschi’s – Washington Street

·         The Building Center – Harbor Loop

·         Tony’s Variety – Washington Street

·         Walgreens – Main Street

13 gallon small bags ($1.25 each sold in packs of 5) are available at:

·         Stop & Shop

·         Shaw’s – East Gloucester

·         Shaw’s – Railroad Avenue

·         Richdale’s – 120 East Main Street

·         The Building Center – Harbor Loop

·         Tedeschi’s – Washington Street

·         Rose Baker Senior Center – Manuel F. Lewis Street

 

Single large or small bags are available at the following locations:

·         Tedeschi’s Market – Washington Street

·         The Building Center – Harbor Loop

·         Tony’s Variety – Washington Street

A discount is available at the Rose Baker Senior Center to residents who are least 65 years old and who currently participate in the City’s trash and recycling program.  Those eligible may purchase a maximum of pack of 5 large bags per month at a discounted rate of $1.50 per bag.  Proof of identity and address are required.

In a PAYT solid waste program, residents pay a per-unit fee for disposal of the solid waste that they generate. The Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection has found that PAYT is an effective mechanism for encouraging real waste reduction at the municipal level.

Gloucester is one of 145 municipalities, out of 351, in Massachusetts who have adopted this approach.  In each of these municipalities, solid waste tonnage was reduced by 25-50% through a combination of increased recycling, diversion to reuse, repair, donation, composting, and other methods of disposal.

Gloucester adopted WasteZero’s bag-based PAYT program in 2009.  Since that time, Gloucester has saved more than a million dollars in disposal fees.