By John McNamara
On Thursday, Feb. 12, John McNamara made a presentation to the Brookhaven Town Board. The town landfill is scheduled to close in 2028 and he wanted to provide information to help the town get ready.
The Town of Southold, also on Long Island, reduced the amount of garbage generated by residents and businesses by almost half by implementing the SMART (Save Money And Reduce Trash) Program. SMART is a form of Pay As You Throw.
In 1993, the town generated 13,520 tons of garbage. In 2007, when the Town began using the SMART program, the town produced only 7,500 tons of garbage.
The SMART Program has raised enough revenue to cover disposal costs. Recycling increased by 70% in the first year alone. In the first 10 years of the program, the town saved almost $9 million, through avoided disposal costs and from revenue from the sale of additional recyclables.
These savings are larger than the three largest infrastructure improvements made by the town over that time — the compost site, the new transfer station, and the new animal shelter.
The Supervisor and the Town Board expressed their gratitude for the presentation and for the research on waste management programs in other towns as they work on the town plan for 2028.
At https://southoldtownny.gov, go to the Services tab for information on the Town of Southold Pay As You Throw SMART Program.
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