James Millington and his fellow Representative Town Meeting members set out to make recycling

easier for residents earlier this year. Fairfielders are happy since the rules went into effect more than three weeks ago — they just wish the programs could go even further.

On July 1, Fairfield’s Solid Waste and Recycling Department started a new system called single-stream recycling. This allows Fairfielders to fill their blue bins without separating most items. But the main advantage is that the town’s recycling pickups accept more items than before, including a wider range of plastics (now all those labeled up to No.7, instead of just Nos. 1 and 2), and clean cardboard boxes.

Reader Kevin Simmons called the new system “much easier for our house,” on TheDailyFairfield’s Facebook page. “[It] Has greatly decreased what goes into the trash can.”

Some Fairfield residents say the system could accommodate more. Frank Perkins asked the town directly why pizza boxes and phone books were not included. The town explained that pizza boxes are often too greasy to be salvaged. Individual pages of books can be recycled, but their bindings cannot be accepted. The full list of what is now accepted is available at the town’s website.

Also on July 1, Fairfield’s newest recycling law also went into effect. The ordinance, first proposed by Millington, requires car washes and gas stations to include recycling bins alongside trash cans, to accommodate drivers cleaning out cars. The state will enact a similar law next summer.

Not all gas stations around Fairfield have adopted the new policy. But Dickey Lambert says he appreciates those that have made the change. “It is easier,” Lambert wrote. “They should add them at the marina as well.”

Fellow Facebook follower Sarah Austin Lehberger says the town should add even more recycling bins around the waterfront. “Add them at the beach as well, on the sand areas!” she posted. “Why are the bins always overflowing badly, creating a mess and not a very *green* effort near our waters.”

Millington said when the ordinance passed that it was just a first step. The town’s lawmakers could expand the requirement, but so far no more changes are in the works.

 

Source : www.thedailyfairfield.com

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